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Anchusa azurea - Mill.

Common Name Anchusa, Italian bugloss
Family Boraginaceae
USDA hardiness 3-7
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Sides of arable fields, waste places, roadsides and steppes on stony hills[45, 187].
Range Europe - Caucasus. An occasional garden escape in Britain[17].
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (1 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Full sun
Anchusa azurea Anchusa, Italian bugloss


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Alberto_Salguero
Anchusa azurea Anchusa, Italian bugloss
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Xemenendura

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Anchusa azurea is a PERENNIAL growing to 1.5 m (5ft) by 0.6 m (2ft in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 3. It is in flower from June to August, and the seeds ripen from July to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees.
It is noted for attracting wildlife.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in heavy clay soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil and can tolerate drought.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

A. italica.

Plant Habitats

 Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Flowers  Leaves  Shoots
Edible Uses:

Flowers - raw. An excellent and decorative addition to the salad bowl, or used as a garnish[183]. The tender young leaves and young flowering shoots can be cooked and eaten as a vegetable[7].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Antitussive  Depurative  Diaphoretic  Diuretic  Poultice

The whole plant is antitussive, depurative, diaphoretic and diuretic[7]. It is harvested when in flower and dried for later use. The dried and powdered herb is used as a poultice to treat inflammations[7]. Use internally with caution, the plant contains the alkaloid cynoglossine which can have a paralyzing effect[7].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Dye

A red dye is obtained from the root[7]. This was at one time used as a basis for some cosmetics[7].

Special Uses

Attracts Wildlife

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Succeeds in most soils, preferring a sunny position[1, 111]. Prefers a fertile well-drained soil[111]. Tolerates heavy clay[200]. Requires a deep well-drained soil[187]. Established plants tolerate drought[187]. Plants are hardy to about -15°c[187]. The flowers are a good source of food for bees[1]. Many named forms have been selected for their ornamental value[187]. The plants tend to be short-lived perennials but they can be propagated by means of root cuttings[187].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Fahrenheit:

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Plant Propagation

Seed - sow spring in pots of sandy soil[200]. An overnight drop in temperature helps germination[133]. The seed usually germinates in 1 - 4 weeks at 21°c[133]. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer. Division in early spring[200]. Root cuttings in autumn or early winter. Late winter is best[200].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: Afghanistan, Cyprus, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan (south), Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan TROPICAL ASIA: Pakistan EUROPE: Hungary, Russian Federation-European part (European part (southwest)), Moldova, Ukraine (Krym), Albania, Bulgaria, Greece (incl. Crete), Croatia, Italy (incl. Sardinia, Sicily), Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain (incl. Baleares), France (incl. Corsica), Portugal AFRICA: Spain (Canarias), Portugal (Madeira Islands), Algeria, Libya, Morocco, Tunisia, Eritrea

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Anchusa officinalisAlkanet, Common buglossBiennial/Perennial0.6 4-8  LMHNM211

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

Mill.

Botanical References

45200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

   Tue Dec 28 01:12:57 2004

This plant is found in Malta/Mediterranean basin/Europe

More comprehensive details, medicinal properties, uses, botanical data, plant description and photogallery of high resolutions photos of this plant can be seen on an interesting website about the wild plants of Malta: www.maltawildplants.com

Link: Malta Wild Plants Website and photography by Stephen Mifsud, Malta.

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