Knowledgebase

Plant query #268562

Asked August 08, 2015, 12:24 PM EDT

hi. This plant is all over our garden. It seems very invasive and seems to be common in the area. Can you advise what it is ? Thank you

County Outside United States

Expert Response

Pentaglottis sempervirens (green alkanetevergreen bugloss or alkanet) is a bristly, perennial plant native to Western Europe. It grows to approximately 60 cm (24") to 90 cm (36"), usually in damp or shaded places and often close to buildings. It has brilliant blue flowers, and retains its green leaves through the winter. The plant has difficulty growing in acidic soil (it is calcicolous). The name "alkanet" is also used for dyer's bugloss (Alkanna tinctoria) and common bugloss (Anchusa officinalis). Green Alkanet is an introduced species in the UK, meaning it is not native  PLEASE INCLUDE WHERE THESE PLANTS ARE LOCATED VERY HARD TO IDEA OTHERWISE!!!!!!!!!

The word "alkanet" derives from Middle English, from Old Spanish alcaneta, diminutive of alcana, "henna", from Medieval Latin alchanna, from Arabic al-ḥinnā’, "henna" : al-: "the" + ḥinnā’, "henna". The genus name Pentaglottis isGreek, meaning "five tongues", and the species name sempervirens is Latin, and means "always alive", or "evergreen".

Green alkanet blooms in spring and early summer. Its stamens are hidden inside narrow flower-tubes which end in a white eye in the centre of a blue flower.


Sandy P. Replied August 10, 2015, 12:29 PM EDT

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