Alkanet

Boraginaceae.

Alkanet 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.

modified from the 1911 encyclopedia with additions