Uses
Edible uses
Notes
Flowers - raw. An excellent and decorative addition to the salad bowl, or used as a garnish[1]. The tender young leaves and young flowering shoots can be cooked and eaten as a vegetable[2].
Flowers
Leaves
Material uses
A red dye is obtained from the root[2]. This was at one time used as a basis for some cosmetics[2].
Unknown part
Medicinal uses(Warning!)
The whole plant is antitussive, depurative, diaphoretic and diuretic[2]. It is harvested when in flower and dried for later use. The dried and powdered herb is used as a poultice to treat inflammations[2]. Use internally with caution, the plant contains the alkaloid cynoglossine which can have a paralyzing effect[2].
Unknown part
Ecology
Ecosystem niche/layer
Ecological Functions
Nothing listed.
Forage
Nothing listed.
Shelter
Nothing listed.
Propagation
Seed - sow spring in pots of sandy soil[3]. An overnight drop in temperature helps germination[4]. The seed usually germinates in 1 - 4 weeks at 21°c[4]. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer. Division in early spring[3]. Root cuttings in autumn or early winter. Late winter is best[3].
Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Anchusa azurea. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.
Cultivation
Succeeds in most soils, preferring a sunny position[5][6]. Prefers a fertile well-drained soil[6]. Tolerates heavy clay[3]. Requires a deep well-drained soil[7]. Established plants tolerate drought[7]. Plants are hardy to about -15°c[7]. The flowers are a good source of food for bees[5]. Many named forms have been selected for their ornamental value[7]. The plants tend to be short-lived perennials but they can be propagated by means of root cuttings[7].
Crops
Problems, pests & diseases
Associations & Interactions
There are no interactions listed for Anchusa azurea. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.
Polycultures & Guilds
There are no polycultures listed which include Anchusa azurea.
Descendants
Cultivars
Varieties
None listed.
Subspecies
None listed.
Full Data
This table shows all the data stored for this plant.
- Drought
References
- ? 1.01.1 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)
- ? 2.02.12.22.32.42.52.62.72.8 Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald ISBN 0-356-10541-5 (1984-00-00)
- ? 3.03.13.23.33.4 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
- ? 4.04.1 Rice. G. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 1. Thompson and Morgan. (1987-00-00)
- ? 5.05.1 F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
- ? 6.06.1 Sanders. T. W. Popular Hardy Perennials. Collingridge (1926-00-00)
- ? 7.07.17.27.37.4 Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books ISBN 0-330-30936-9 (1991-00-00)
- ? Polunin. O. Flowers of Greece and the Balkans. Oxford University Press ISBN 0-19-217626-9 (1980-00-00)
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