This is the same shade of blue as Anchusa azurea which is quite common in the continental Europe and even grows in UK occasionally. The well known property of this plant is indicated by the species name, now tinctoria. The roots are a source of a deep red dyestuff, Alkannin which is insoluble in water. The dye, which can be extracted using ethyl alcohol, has been used to dye clothes. It has been known for centuries. More recently it has been used as a food colouring, a varnish and even as a lipstick colorant.

Alkanna tinctoria has four recognised subspecies and is common throughout the Mediteranean basin countries. It is now recognised that Alkanna lehmannii is a synonym of the accepted name for this species: Alkanna tinctoria

Alkanna lehmannii (tinctoria) (Blue) & Silene colorata (Pink) Dyer's Alkanet Dunes near, Peschici, Gargano 23rd April 2009 Previous   Next

Alkanna lehmannii (tinctoria)

Hillside fields near Monte St. Angelo, Gargano, Italy

Added on 18th May 2009, updated 23rd Feb 2010, updated 29th January 2013, updated 3rd April 2026, updated 4th April 2026