Phacelia tanacetifolia

Benth.

Tansy phacelia

Boraginaceae Edible: Flowers, Honey 21,606 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

Phacelia tanacetifolia is a species of flowering plant in the family Hydrophyllaceae, known by the common names lacy phacelia, tansy-leaf phacelia, blue tansy, purple tansy or fiddleneck (UK).

Description

A herb or small shrub. It grows 1.3 m high. The flowers are lavender blue. It attracts beneficial insects and is a good honey producing crop.

This description is brief — help expand it

Edible Uses

None known

Traditional Uses

It is cultivated as a honey crop giving a mild aromatic honey.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

None known

Distribution

It is a temperate plant.

Where It Grows

Australia, North America, Norway, Scandinavia, Russia, Tasmania, USA,

Cultivation

Succeeds in any moderately fertile well-drained soil in a sunny position. Prefers a moist soil. The flowers are a rich source of nectar and is occasionally grown commercially as a crop for bees.

Propagation

Sow seed in situ in late spring or late summer. The plant often self-sows.

Other Uses

Used as a green manure crop, though as of 1980 it had not been properly tested in Britain. It is not deeply rooted. The plant attracts wildlife and is suited to food forest systems.

Notes

Also put in the family Hydrophyllaceae.

Also Known As

Honningurt

References (4)

Curtis, W.M., 1993, The Student's Flora of Tasmania. Part 3 St David's Park Publishing, Tasmania, p 486
Facciola, S., 1998, Cornucopia 2: a Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, p 122
Girard, N. J., 2020, Sustainable Foraging of Wild Edible Plants in Norway. A Biocultural Approach. M. Sc. thesis Norwegian University. p 129
J. Lindley, Edward's Bot. Reg. 20: t. 1696. 1834 (Trans. Linn. Soc. London 17:280; Trans. Hort. Soc. London 1:479. 1835)