This is an archived copy of this article, recovered after a server failure in January 2022.

Some links may be broken, and editing is disabled. We are working to bring back full functionality.

Alkanna tinctoria
  • Alkanet

a perennial member of the Alkanna genus in the family Boraginaceae.

Niche
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    The ecosystem niches for this plant are unknown. Do you know them? Click the edit button to add them!
Functions
  • None
    None
    There are no functions defined for this plant. Do you know of some? Click the edit button to add them!
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • light shade
    Light shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • neutral,alkaline
    Neutral to Alkaline
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Loamy
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • ?
    Unknown
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Alkanna tinctoria has 0 edible uses listed
Alkanna tinctoria has 0 material uses listed
Alkanna tinctoria has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Toxic parts

Many members of this plant family contain a liver-damaging alkaloid and so internal usage is inadvisable[1].

Edible uses

Notes

Used as a vegetable[2]. No further details are given. A red dye obtained from the roots is used as a food colouring[1].

Unknown part

Colouring

Leaves

Unknown use

Material uses

A red dye is obtained from the roots[3][4][5], it is used by pharmacists as well as in perfumes and to stain wood or marble[6][1]. The dye is also used in thermometers[6] and as a litmus to test for acids and alkalines[7]. It can make wood look like rosewood or mahogany[8][7].

Unknown part

Dye
Litmus

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

The root is antibacterial, antipruritic, astringent and vulnerary[1].It is used externally in the treatment of varicose veins, indolent ulcers, bed sores and itching rashes[1]. The root is harvested in the autumn and can be dried for later use[1].

Unknown part

Antibacterial
Antipruritic
Astringent
Vulnerary

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a cold frame. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer.

Division in spring. Fairly easy, they can be planted straight out into their permanent positions if required. Basal cuttings of new growth in late spring. Harvest the young shoots when they are about 10 - 15cm long and pot them up into individual pots in a lightly shaded position in a greenhouse. They should root well within a few weeks and can be planted out in the summer[K].

Root cuttings in late winter[9].

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Alkanna tinctoria. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Prefers a well-drained sandy or loamy soil[10] in sun or partial shade[1]. Dislikes acid soils[10] but thrives in alkaline soils[1]. A very drought tolerant plant when established[9], succeeding in a hot dry position[11], it is a useful plant for dry sandy or alkaline soils[1].

Plants are hardy to about -10°c[11].

This species is occasionally cultivated as a dye plant[12]. One report says that it is cultivated for its seed[13].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Alkanna tinctoria. 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 Alkanna tinctoria.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Alkanna tinctoria
Genus
Alkanna
Family
Boraginaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
[2][1]
Medicinal uses
[1]
Material uses & Functions
[3][4][5][6][1][7][8]
Botanic
[14][9]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
?
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
light shade
Soil PH
neutral, alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy
Soil Water Retention
well drained
Environmental Tolerances
  • Drought
  • Strong wind
  • Maritime exposure
Ecosystems
Native Climate Zones
None listed.
Adapted Climate Zones
None listed.
Native Geographical Range
None listed.
Native Environment
None listed.
Ecosystem Niche
None listed.
Root Zone Tendancy
None listed.
Life
Deciduous or Evergreen
?
Herbaceous or Woody
?
Life Cycle
perennial
Growth Rate
?
Mature Size
0.2 x 0.25 meters
Fertility
?
Pollinators
?
Flower Colour
?
Flower Type
hermaphrodite











References

  1. ? 1.001.011.021.031.041.051.061.071.081.091.101.11 Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. ISBN 0-7513-020-31 (1995-00-00)
  2. ? 2.02.1 Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books ISBN 3874292169 (1984-00-00)
  3. ? 3.03.1 Schery. R. W. Plants for Man. ()
  4. ? 4.04.1 Polunin. O. and Huxley. A. Flowers of the Mediterranean. Hogarth Press ISBN 0-7012-0784-1 (1987-00-00)
  5. ? 5.05.1 Hill. A. F. Economic Botany. The Maple Press (1952-00-00)
  6. ? 6.06.16.2 Polunin. O. Flowers of Europe - A Field Guide. Oxford University Press ISBN 0192176218 (1969-00-00)
  7. ? 7.07.17.2 Niebuhr. A. D. Herbs of Greece. Herb Society of America. (1970-00-00)
  8. ? 8.08.1 Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 (1984-00-00)
  9. ? 9.09.19.2 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
  10. ? 10.010.1 F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
  11. ? 11.011.1 Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books ISBN 0-330-30936-9 (1991-00-00)
  12. ? Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable ISBN 0094579202 (1974-00-00)
  13. ? Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim (1959-00-00)
  14. ? Polunin. O. Flowers of Greece and the Balkans. Oxford University Press ISBN 0-19-217626-9 (1980-00-00)


Retrieved from "http://practicalplants.org/w/index.php?title=Alkanna_tinctoria&oldid=74864"
Facts about "Alkanna tinctoria"RDF feed
Article is incompleteYes +
Article requires citationsNo +
Article requires cleanupYes +
Belongs to familyBoraginaceae +
Belongs to genusAlkanna +
Has binomial nameAlkanna tinctoria +
Has common nameAlkanet +
Has drought toleranceTolerant +
Has edible partUnknown part + and Leaves +
Has edible useColouring + and Unknown use +
Has environmental toleranceMaritime exposure +, High wind + and Drought +
Has flowers of typeHermaphrodite +
Has lifecycle typePerennial +
Has material partUnknown part +
Has material useDye + and Litmus +
Has mature height0.2 +
Has mature width0.25 +
Has medicinal partUnknown part +
Has medicinal useAntibacterial +, Antipruritic +, Astringent + and Vulnerary +
Has search namealkanna tinctoria + and alkanet +
Has shade toleranceLight shade +
Has soil ph preferenceNeutral + and Alkaline +
Has soil texture preferenceSandy + and Loamy +
Has soil water retention preferenceWell drained +
Has sun preferenceFull sun +
Has taxonomic rankSpecies +
Has taxonomy nameAlkanna tinctoria +
Has water requirementsmoderate +
Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
PFAF cultivation notes migratedNo +
PFAF edible use notes migratedNo +
PFAF material use notes migratedNo +
PFAF medicinal use notes migratedNo +
PFAF propagation notes migratedNo +
PFAF toxicity notes migratedNo +
Tolerates maritime exposureYes +
Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
Tolerates windYes +
Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +
Has subobjectThis property is a special property in this wiki.Alkanna tinctoria +, Alkanna tinctoria +, Alkanna tinctoria +, Alkanna tinctoria +, Alkanna tinctoria +, Alkanna tinctoria +, Alkanna tinctoria + and Alkanna tinctoria +