Pentaglottis sempervirens

(L.) Tausch ex L. H. Bailey

Evergreen alkanet

Boraginaceae Edible: Flowers, Leaves Potential hazards — see below 25,969 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

A perennial herbaceous plant reaching 1 m in height. Hardy to UK zone 7, not frost tender. Flowers appear from May to June. Hermaphroditic and insect-pollinated. Adapts to light sandy, medium loamy, and heavy clay soils across mildly acid, neutral, and basic pH ranges. Grows in full shade (deep woodland), semi-shade (light woodland), or full sun. Prefers consistently moist soil.

Description

A herb. It keeps growing from year to year. It grows 1 m tall. The flowers are blue.

This description is brief — help expand it

Edible Uses

The flowers are eaten raw. They have a mild flavour and a mucilaginous texture, and are used mainly as a decorative garnish in fruit drinks and salads.

Traditional Uses

The flowers are used in salads. They are also used as ornaments in drinks.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

None known

Known Hazards

The blue flowers of the green alkanet are edible, and are often used as a garnish for salads or drinks. Green alkanet roots are not edible. They contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which are toxic to the liver, even when cooked. Although toxic if consumed in large quantities, the leaves have medicinal properties and were recommended for the treatment of coughs, digestive problems and fevers by Nicholas Culpeper. The leaves are also an effective remedy for burns and ulcers when crushed and combined with vinegar and rose water. In modern times the leaves and stems have been used by doctors to treat staphylococcus.

Distribution

It is a temperate plant. It grows in damp shady places. It can grow in sun or shade. It is best in moist soils.

Where It Grows

Australia, Britain, Europe, Tasmania,

Propagation

Seed is best sown as soon as ripe in a cold frame. Stored seed should be sown in a cold frame as soon as possible. Prick seedlings into individual pots when large enough to handle and plant out in late spring. Where sufficient seed is available, it can be sown directly in situ in spring. The plant can also be propagated by division or root cuttings in spring.

Other Uses

None known Special Uses Food Forest

Notes

It is an unresolved name in The Plant List.

Synonyms

Anchusa adamii MazziariAnchusa sempervirens L.Anchusa vulgaris DumortBuglossa sempervirens GrayBuglossum sempervirens All.Caryolopha sempervirens (L.) Fisch. & Trautv.Omphalodes sempervirens D. Don