Alkanet
- Product number: 331760
- Origin: Mediterranean region
- Latin: Alkanna orientalis
A beautiful perennial plant with velvety, grey-green, lemon-scented leaves. Golden-yellow trumpet-shaped flowers adorn the top of the red stems. The flowering plants yield highly medicinal plant saps. In a study led by Prof. Nadja Cech at UNCG, where several plants were screened for antibiotic activity, one of the strongest reactions was obtained from this Oriental Alkanet. We will also test the edibility of the leaves and flowers, will you join us?
The plant certainly contains Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids to protect itself against predators. Ingesting too much of these substances is harmful; many plants (often herbs) contain these substances. Varied nutrition and not making tea from only Alkanet is the advice to prevent harmful consequences. We do not yet know enough about these substances, but it is suspected that small amounts can be beneficial for our immunity.
An important additional property is its good dyeing properties for coloring wool and cotton. Expect a beautiful range of beige shades.
Names:
Latin: Alkanna orientalis
Dutch: Alkanet
Also: Yellow Borage
English: Alkanet
Sowing method:
.
Sowing/planting time:
Harvesting time:
Soil type:
Cultivation location:
Position:
- Flower colour: Golden yellow
- Origin: Mediterranean region
- Average growth height: 30 to 60 cm
- Annual or perennial: Perennial
- Attractive to insects:
- Winter hardy: Moderately frost hardy
- Ease of cultivation: Moderate
- Latin: Alkanna orientalis
- Dutch: Alkanet
- Also known as: Yellow Borage
- English: Alkanet
