-
Inflorescence
-
Extreme close-up of flower
-
From Miss C.H. Lippincott seed catalog, 1894
Anchusa capensis | |
---|---|
Close-up of flowers with bee for scale | |
At the University of California Botanical Garden | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Asterids |
Order: | Boraginales |
Family: | Boraginaceae |
Genus: | Anchusa |
Species: | A. capensis
|
Binomial name | |
Anchusa capensis |
Anchusa capensis, is a species of flowering plant in the family Boraginaceae, native to Namibia, South Africa and Lesotho. [1] [2] The genus Anchusa is from the Greek word anchousa, which makes reference to its use as a dye base for cosmetic paint obtained from the roots of another plant in the genus Anchusa tinctoria. The species capensis translates to ‘from the Cape’ referring to South Africa [3]
A. capensis typically reaches about 60 cm (24 in) tall, and grows best in full sun. [4] In summer, red buds open to reveal small, bright cobalt blue flowers with five petals and five white scales protecting the stigma and anthers. [5]
In the US, it grows well in zones 8–11. [6] Cultivars include 'Dawn', with white, pink, mauve and blue flowers, 'Blue Angel', with dark blue flowers, and 'Blue Bird', taller and with indigo blue flowers. [7]
Anchusa capensis | |
---|---|
Close-up of flowers with bee for scale | |
At the University of California Botanical Garden | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Asterids |
Order: | Boraginales |
Family: | Boraginaceae |
Genus: | Anchusa |
Species: | A. capensis
|
Binomial name | |
Anchusa capensis |
Anchusa capensis, is a species of flowering plant in the family Boraginaceae, native to Namibia, South Africa and Lesotho. [1] [2] The genus Anchusa is from the Greek word anchousa, which makes reference to its use as a dye base for cosmetic paint obtained from the roots of another plant in the genus Anchusa tinctoria. The species capensis translates to ‘from the Cape’ referring to South Africa [3]
A. capensis typically reaches about 60 cm (24 in) tall, and grows best in full sun. [4] In summer, red buds open to reveal small, bright cobalt blue flowers with five petals and five white scales protecting the stigma and anthers. [5]
In the US, it grows well in zones 8–11. [6] Cultivars include 'Dawn', with white, pink, mauve and blue flowers, 'Blue Angel', with dark blue flowers, and 'Blue Bird', taller and with indigo blue flowers. [7]