Alkanet
Alkanet generally refers to Alkanna tinctoria or Dyer's bugloss (though it may be used for Anchusa officinalis or common bugloss) It is a member of the family Boraginaceae.
A. tinctoria is also known as orchanet, dyer's bugloss, Spanish bugloss or bugloss of Languedoc. Its name is from Spanish alcana, from Arabic al-hena, after henna, (Lawsonia inermis).
Alkanet is grown in the south of France and on the shores of the Levant. Its root yields a fine red colouring matter which has been used as a cloth dye and to tint tinctures, oils, wines, varnishes, etc. It is commonly used today as a food colouring.
It was listed in the 1918 U.S. Dispensatory.[1]
modified from the 1911 encyclopedia with additions
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