Green Alkanet is a
non-native
perennial plant of the UK, typically found growing in woodland, hedgerows and waste ground, to a mature height of up to 100cm.
Green Alkanet was introduced into the UK from continental Europe as a garden plant by the seventeenth century. The 'Green' refers to the evergreen leaves of the plant and 'Alkanet' indicates it is a plant traditionally used to make dyes. Green Alkanet is a bushy plant with large hairy and bluntly-toothed, oval leaves with pointed tips. Like other members of the Borage family, it has very bristly stems.
Botanic classification and naming: Green Alkanet is a member of the Borage (Boraginaceae) family. The genus name
'Pentaglottis' identifies the plant as a Alkanet and its species name 'sempervirens' means 'evergreen plant'.
Benefits: Caterpillars of the Scarlet Tiger moth feed on this plant.
Benefits to wildlife are also indicated with orange icons in the plant profile bar at the top.
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