anchusa azurea Mill.=Anchusa italica Retzius
Perennial plant from the tallest of the genus Anchusa, can reach up to 150 cm in height, common throughout Europe and especially in the central and southern regions. It is still found in Western Asia and as far as the Caucasus and Pakistan. However, its origin is considered to be Mediterranean.
In Greece there are 11 species of the genus Anchousa. In many areas of the Mediterranean the flowers and tender tops are eaten raw or boiled in salads and pies.
The root of the plant produces a red dye like other species of the family. (see earlier related posts) The lovely blue flowers are truly ornamental while on the plant and wilt and die in less than 10 hours if cut. The common name by which the plant is known in many parts of Greece “ voidoglossa” is a continuation of the ancient Greek “βούγλωσσον” used by Theophrastus and Dioscorides.
