Family: Boraginaceae
Author: (L.) Tausch
Bibliography: Flora 7: 234 (1824)
Year: 1824
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Alkanna
Vegetable: False
Observations: Medit. to SC. Europe
Description
Alkanna, commonly recognized for its vibrant and striking appearance, is scientifically named Alkanna tinctoria. Described in “Flora” in the year 1824 by the botanist Tausch, this perennial herbaceous plant belongs to the family Boraginaceae. Alkanna is native to the Mediterranean regions extending to South-Central Europe, making it well-adapted to the varying climates and soils of these areas.
Characterized by its deep blue to violet flowers, Alkanna often catches the eye in its natural habitat. The plant typically features hairy, greyish-green leaves, and a robust root system, distinguishing itself amongst other flora. Alkanna tinctoria also holds historical significance due to its use as a dye plant. The roots contain a red pigment, historically used for coloring textiles and cosmetics, highlighting the plant’s versatile applications aside from its ornamental value.
This species’ adaptability to different environments, coupled with its aesthetic and practical uses, makes Alkanna a notable plant in both ecological and anthropological studies. Whether you encounter it thriving on rocky hillsides or being utilized in traditional dyeing processes, Alkanna tinctoria remains a remarkable example of nature’s utility and beauty combined.
Common Names
Deu: alkannawurzel, schminkwurz
Eng: spanish-bugloss, alkanet, alkanna, dyer’s-alkanet, dyer’s-bugloss, dyer’s alkanet
Ita: alkanetta
Spa: onoquiles, orcaneta
Fra: orcanette, racines d’alkanna
En: Alkanna, Alkanet, Dyer’s bugloss, Spanish-bugloss, Dyer’s-alkanet, Dyer’s-bugloss, Dyer’s Alkanet
Ar: حنا الغول (حِنا الغول), كحلاء مصبوغة
Bg: Синя айважива
Ca: Alcanna
Zh: 紫朱草
Fi: Värialkanna
Fr: Orcanette des teinturiers, Orcanette, Racines d’alkanna
De: Alkannawurzel, Schminkwurz
He: אלקנת הצבעים
Hi: रतनजोत
Hu: Homoki báránypirosító
It: Arganetta azzurra, Alkanetta
Kk: Бояулы алканна, بوياۋلى الكاننا
Ko: 알칸나
Ku: Giyacîwa
Ru: Алканна красильная
Es: Onoquiles, Orcaneta
Tr: Havacıva
Synonyms
Distribution
- Albania (native)
- Algeria (native)
- Bulgaria (native)
- Cyprus (native)
- Czechoslovakia (native)
- East Aegean Is. (native)
- Egypt (native)
- France (native)
- Greece (native)
- Hungary (native)
- Italy (native)
- Kriti (native)
- Krym (native)
- Lebanon-Syria (native)
- Libya (native)
- Morocco (native)
- Palestine (native)
- Romania (native)
- Sardegna (native)
- Sicilia (native)
- Sinai (native)
- Spain (native)
- Tunisia (native)
- Turkey (native)
- Turkey-in-Europe (native)
- Ukraine (native)
- Yugoslavia (native)
Additional Images
Flower
Taken Mar 5, 2020 by Elsa Schreiber (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 18, 2021 by silvia mega (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 13, 2019 by margarida vila (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 13, 2019 by margarida vila (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 22, 2020 by Didier Bazile (cc-by-sa)
Leaf
Taken May 7, 2022 by Karen Caracena (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 2, 2022 by Romero Sánchez (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 7, 2022 by Karen Caracena (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 18, 2020 by Rahali Said (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 20, 2022 by Arturo Oradini (cc-by-sa)
Habit
Taken Mar 20, 2022 by Arturo Oradini (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 5, 2020 by Elsa Schreiber (cc-by-sa)
Other
Taken Feb 19, 2022 by Beate Liebold (cc-by-sa)
Taken Feb 19, 2022 by Beate Liebold (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 21, 2022 by Wald Fee (cc-by-sa)
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5341257)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:112753-1)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Alkanna tinctoria (L.) Tausch)
Specifications
Growth
Ph maximum: 8.0
Ph minimum: 7.5
Light: 8
Atmospheric humidity: 3
Soil nutriments: 8