Alkannet
Botanical Name: Alkanna tinctoria
Family: Boraginaceae
Other Names: Alkanna, anchusa, dyer's bugloss, orchanet, Spanish bugloss
Description: Perennial Leaves: oval-lanceolate
Flower: blue mid-late summer roots: red up to 10cm Roots: Red
Native to: Mediterranean
Parts Used: Root
Constituents: Alkannins including lipophilic, isohexenylnaphthazarin red pigments
Culinary Uses: Colouring in red wine
Other Uses: Roots used as red dye
Other Notes: Linked to witchcraft in purification and prosperity spells Its name originates from the Arabic "al-henna" Anchusa comes from the Greek word for paint "anchousa