Anchusa azurea | |
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Scientific classification
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Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Asterids |
Order: | Boraginales |
Family: | Boraginaceae |
Genus: | Anchusa |
Species: | A. azurea
|
Binomial name | |
Anchusa azurea | |
Synonyms | |
Anchusa italica |
Anchusa azurea is a species of flowering plant in the family Boraginaceae, known by the common names garden anchusa [1] and Italian bugloss (or just "bugloss"). This bristly herbaceous perennial may reach 1.5 m (4.9 ft) tall and 60 cm (24 in) wide. [2] It has straight lance-shaped leaves and petite tubular flowers about 15 millimeters across with five bright violet-blue petals. [3] These flowers, which typically appear in May–July, are edible and attract bees. [4] This species is native to Europe, western Asia, and eastern Maghreb. [5]
The genus name Anchusa comes from the Greek 'ankousa', which is the name of a root pigment once used for cosmetic purposes. [6]
Numerous cultivars have been developed for garden use, including 'Dropmore', 'Feltham Pride', 'Little John', 'Loddon Royalist' and 'Opal'. [7]
In the US it is suitable for hardiness zones 3–8. It grows best in full sun with good drainage, and is drought tolerant once established. [7] It may be susceptible to leafminer and powdery mildew. [8]
Anchusa azurea | |
---|---|
![]() | |
Scientific classification
![]() | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Asterids |
Order: | Boraginales |
Family: | Boraginaceae |
Genus: | Anchusa |
Species: | A. azurea
|
Binomial name | |
Anchusa azurea | |
Synonyms | |
Anchusa italica |
Anchusa azurea is a species of flowering plant in the family Boraginaceae, known by the common names garden anchusa [1] and Italian bugloss (or just "bugloss"). This bristly herbaceous perennial may reach 1.5 m (4.9 ft) tall and 60 cm (24 in) wide. [2] It has straight lance-shaped leaves and petite tubular flowers about 15 millimeters across with five bright violet-blue petals. [3] These flowers, which typically appear in May–July, are edible and attract bees. [4] This species is native to Europe, western Asia, and eastern Maghreb. [5]
The genus name Anchusa comes from the Greek 'ankousa', which is the name of a root pigment once used for cosmetic purposes. [6]
Numerous cultivars have been developed for garden use, including 'Dropmore', 'Feltham Pride', 'Little John', 'Loddon Royalist' and 'Opal'. [7]
In the US it is suitable for hardiness zones 3–8. It grows best in full sun with good drainage, and is drought tolerant once established. [7] It may be susceptible to leafminer and powdery mildew. [8]