There are laws put in place to prevent the spread of this invasive plant. Are Robson Green and Jerome Flynn still friends? It used to be a popular garden plant, but it is now out of fashion as it can become invasive; but it can still be bought. It was known from the wild by 1724. : not known to be Why Is It a Noxious Weed? If treating weeds in the immediate vicinity of garden plants, apply carefully using a ready-to-use sprayin cool, calm weather. A Tip Disease article noted that a cold infusion made from alkanet may be used as a diuretic, while a hot infusion can be used to induce sweating. like Elle, I would like to know if pentaglottis sempervirens has fertiliser properties like comfrey. Put the plants in your green waste bin, or soaking in a bucket of water for a few weeks until the plant has rotted down, then add to the compost heap. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.None known. Stems: The green, hairy, angled stems can reach up to 1 metre high. True to its name, you can find this plant happily over-wintering here in Britain as large rosettes, looking a lot like borage, or comfrey. Alkanet is a fussy plant and is absent from many places in Britain but grows in profusion on old lime mortar and is most happy near old buildings and where builders rubble has been dumped. Green alkanet can look similar to annual bugloss (Anchusa arvensis), common bugloss (Anchusa officinalis) and blueweed (Echium vulgare), other plants in the Boraginaceae family. Despite best intentions I'm resigned to its removal in favour of less invasive bee friendly plants. Flower stamens are equal and included down in the tube with the style. The plant may have been introduced for a red dye in its roots, although it may have been confused with the similarly named Alkanet, Anchusa officinalis. Rhododendron Ponticum spreads through its seeds which are carried by water or wind up to 100 metres away from the plant. Green Alkanet. sound familiar? Year Listed: 2022 But is it borage, forget-me-not or comfrey? Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame[200]. But it's now considered an invasive weed in many areas. UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map Synonyms Anchusa sempervirens. Staffordshire, Cannock Chase Foraging Courses, Ayrshire, Craigengillan Estate Spring Foraging Course, Buckinghamshire, Milton Keynes Foraging Courses, Cambridgeshire, Huntingdon Spring Foraging Courses, Cheshire, Marbury Country Park Foraging Courses, Green Alkanet, Green Alkanet, Alkanet, Evergreen bugloss. Alkanet alleviatesgreen wounds, punctures, skin inflammation, burns, and St. Anthonys fire. Apparently no medicinal uses, not pleasant to eat. It'll seed like a menace, but you just pinch out the flowers. Alkanet improves respiratory health and enhances the body's digestive profile. Please contact its sponsor Dana Coggon and Jennifer Andreas to report locations or for more information. Flowers: bright yellow, bell-shaped flowers that have five petals with small indents on the top edge of each petal. Continuous mowing will prevent seed production, but will not eradicate the weed. Although introduced into the British Isles the plant is widely naturalised and thrives in any damp environment, especially gardens. Discover why you need this fruit! This is a few blocks from me locally. Small, 8-10mm, delicate blue flowers with white centres. hairy whitetop . Harvesting: Flowers can be picked most of the spring, from March. More plant articles are coming soon. Foraging for Ash Keys (Fraxinus excelsior) Oleaceae family. Is Green Alkanet invasive? However, pulling or cutting Himalayan Balsam plants before they flower and set seed is the main form of manual Himalayan Balsam removal. The various forms of Brunnera macrophylla are gentle little things, totally non-invasive in my experience and, regrettably, so beloved by slugs that, unless I am extra vigilant, by mid-summer . What percentage of the world's population has red hair and green eyes? Hawthorn (Crataegus) Hawthorn tree with pink flowers in bloom May 2018. Weeds and Their Control: Green Alkanet (Pentaglottis sempervirens) by Karen on March 15, 2018 Also known as evergreen bugloss, this perennial weed is native to Western Europe where it grows in damp shaded areas especially those with calcareous soil. Green alkanet is an introduced species in the British Isles. In the past it was widely used as a dye for textiles and leather. IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status : Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. LEGAL STATUS: Being considered for 2022 Class C listing. Follow these links for further details on Weeds, Weed Removal and Weed Prevention. Green alkanet has very long taproots that are hard to kill; many consider it a pernicious weed. If you think a comment/link or information contained on this page is inaccurate or misleading we would welcome your feedback at admin@pfaf.org. The weed can be successfully treated with herbicides over several growing seasons. Secondly, there is no legislation relating to Green Alkanet. zuena. The flowers range from fuchsia to pale pink in colour and tend to appear between June and October, followed by seed pods that explode dispersing the seeds from late July to October. The margins are mostly entire, but are occasionally found with a few very obscure and irregular teeth. However it can soon spread in damp shady gardens where it may become a nuisance. Control of these invasive knotweed species is required up to the ordinary high water mark (or up to the top of the bank if the ordinary high water mark cannot be identified) and in the adjacent buffer area as specified in KCC 21A.24.358. Arum italicum . This is a deep-rooted perennial weed and it should be possible to eliminate the problem with repeat applications of a glyphosate-based weedkiller (e.g. In Sidmouth, to see a sight almost as spectacular as a bluebell wood, walk through The Byes to the Bramble Bank by the Lawn Vista steps to see the vibrant blue flowering of green alkanet. Dyeing wool with alkanet 5. Francesca O. I was researching this plant as in line with the last comment my border collie seeks out this plant on our walks and eats copious amounts of the youngest leaves on the plant. It is a good nectar flower for all kinds of bees. Green alkanet is a weed with blue flowers that's in the Boraginaceae family and resembles borage and forget-me-not. It can grow upto about 80cm / 32 inches, and the flower stems are quite hairy. Roundup Ultra, SBM Job done General Purpose Weedkiller orDoff AdvancedWeedkiller). Someone heard an Arab merchant calling a product al henna and thought he was saying al kanet. Secondly, there is no legislation relating to Green Alkanet. Social media can be a real boon for beginner gardeners, particularly younger people who may not feel comfortable asking advice from the "old hands" on the plot. I'll try your suggestions, cheers! I was pleased, because I had intended to grow comfrey anyway. ""No, it's green alkanet, it's a dye plant. Its stamens are hidden inside narrow flower-tubes which end in a white eye in the centre of a blue flower. Home | About | Contact | Copyright | Privacy | Cookie Policy | Terms & Conditions | Sitemap. Japanese eelgrass . Pentaglottis is a monotypic genus of flowering plants in the family Boraginaceae.It is represented by a single species, Pentaglottis sempervirens, commonly known as the green alkanet, evergreen bugloss or alkanet, and is a bristly, perennial plant native to southwestern Europe, in northwest Iberia and France. In addition, alkanet can be used as a topical treatment to a variety of skin conditions. It has small blue flowers and grey-green leaves. "The plant in question is almost always green alkanet (Pentaglottis sempervirens). Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The Royal Horticultural Society is the UKs leading gardening charity. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so its worth checking. Leaves are ovate (egg-shaped), abruptly contracted at the base and have a pointed tip. Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit: Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. have you got 8000 wildflowers? As a result we recommend digging the weed out before it seeds in the summer. Thanks both (nutcutlet and Jimmy). I've never counted mineI don't think there are quite 8000 P. sempervirens (yet). Medicinal uses:I have struggled to collect any medicinal information on this herb. I think my mistake was confusing it for the annual borage. 15 Dog-Safe Plants You Can Add to Almost Any Garden Right Now. Alcohol, algorithm, algebra, alcove, alkanet; these are several words used in English that start with al coming from Arabic for the word the. Petioles: These are always present except on the smallest stem leaves. Cultural methods can effectively control this weed. Green alkanet is a common weed of gardens and grows prolifically where ever it has a chance. We find that works well on bindweed and dandelions. Here's a link so you can see a picture Nasty invasive stuff with a long tap root that is impossible to completely remove and fine spiky hairs that . Giant Hogweed is an invasive plant species originating from Central Asia where is occurs in damp upland areas. The stamens are hidden inside the narrow tube forcing insects to squeeze inside or use long tongues to reach the nectar. I frequently see this invasive misidentified as Comfrey. I wonder if it's one of those plants like buddleja going through a population explosion. "The comments below will go like this:"It's borage. An important new book from PFAF. It grows to approximately 60 cm (24") to 90 cm (36"), usually in damp or shaded . They are oblong in shape and have a shiny, smooth appearance. The leaves are retained through the winter. Possibly native to S.W. Alkanet is a name applied to several unrelated plants including green or dyers alkanet. Comment * document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a6646f0bf103149cc2d8b160c5af5746" );document.getElementById("afdf0ecf46").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Please note that each and every hedgerow item you come across may vary in appearance to these photos. Or maybe comfrey. In garden design, as well as the above-ground architecture of a plant, root structure considerations help in choosing plants that work together for their optimal soil requirements including nutrients and water. Is Green Alkanet invasive? Firstly, it can still be bought in the UK. Biology of Alkanet Alkanet is a perennial herb and a native to Southern Europe. The "wisdom of the crowds" does eventually prevail, however, but it's certainly worth waiting until a dozen or more people have commented to see what consensus has been reached. This year a plant which looks like pentaglottis sempervirens has spread all over back gardens here in south London. COMMON NAMES: Green alkanet, evergreen bugloss, evergreen alkanet, bird's-eye FAMILY: Forget -me-Not Family, Boragin aceae . . Download Green Alkanet stock photos. This site is part of the Natural News Network 2012 All Rights Reserved. Pentaglottis sempervirens -. This must be undertaken with extreme caution as this can actually help the plant to spread. It flourishes in damp & shady places in clay, sandy or loamy soil. Green alkanet is a perennial found growing wild in damp and shady places. inaccuracy or intrusion, then please First, soak the alkanet in alcohol (or methylated spirits) for several days to extract the colour. How Do You Get Rid Of Hiccups In 5 Seconds. Generally lowland, but reaching 380 m at Upper Glenlivet (Banffs.). The dark green, ovate leaves have wavy edges arranged alternately on the stems. Green alkanet is particularly invasive in gardens. Then you will also be able to confidently identify and harvest other similar-looking plants. Pfaf has no record of adverse effects, can't find anything elsewhere, a doctor might be a good idea if happens in future. Rhododendron Ponticum has spread out of control in the UK, with Scotland being particularly badly affected. Being a member of the comfrey family, the leaves can also be composted, or rotted down to provide liquid fertiliser. Green Alkanet is slightly different to the other invasive weeds we have mentioned above. The information on this site is provided for educational and entertainment purposes only. Difficult one, in keeping the flowers for the insects some are bound to reach seeding stage. It'll be Alkanet as Borage is an annual. Typically they reach around 15 cm 25 cm long and 7 cm or so wide. Green alkanet does have piercing blue flowers not dissimilar to forget-me-nots and borage, and hairy leaves that look a bit like comfrey , but once you get to know this plant it's easy to spot: the blue is sharper than a forgot-me-not - really, really bright, the leaves are too big for forget-me-nots and the flowers don't have the same star . Alkanet improves respiratory health and enhances the bodys digestive profile. (Kew Science). paano ka makakagawa ng berdeng alkanet dye? Make sure to read and follow the label on any product you use and contact yourcounty noxious weed coordinator for specific recommendations. Is green alkanet as good as comfrey? Dreamstime is the world`s largest stock photography community. The book suggests that community and small-scale food forests can provide a real alternative to intensive industrialised agriculture, and help to combat the many inter-related environmental crises that threaten the very future of life on Earth. It is important that we continue to promote these adverts as our local businesses need as much support as possible during these challenging times. Often seen on buildings, roofs, etc. Correct identification is crucial to ensure the safety of your family and pets. 10 common plants those are poisonous to dogs. As alkanet is found near sites of former monasteries it may have been introduced by monks in the middle ages. Basal leaves are on long petioles and grow up to 15.75 inches (40 cm) long. I think it's the blue flowers that do it: it really does stand out, even to people who are usually not looking closely at plants*. Whats The Difference Between Dutch And French Braids? Leaves: heart shaped, smooth and blunt. The specific epithet sempervirens is two cojoined Latin words that translate to evergreen or always alive. Unfortunately, once your skin has been damaged by the Giant Hogweeds sap you can continue to feel burning symptoms for up to 5-7 years. It may appear as a weed as it can self-seed and sprout up anywhere. over Green Alkanet but if there is a lot of it then why not use it for something! Truth Publishing International, LTD. is not responsible for content written by contributing authors. Green alkanets leaves are always noticeably bristly hairy. Electronic Flora of British Columbia information on Pentaglottis sempervirens. * Exclusive content not on the website It's dyer's alkanet (Alkanna tinctoria) that's used to produce a purple/red dye, although I understand a weaker dye can be obtained from green alkanet's roots. Remove Japanese Knotweed from your property now. This is Green Alkanet, it is of the Boraginaceae (or forget-me-not) family. Class A Weeds: Non-native species whose distribution . Fortunately, you are not legally obliged to remove Giant Hogweed from your property, or land, as long as you are actively taking steps to ensure it does not spread to neighbouring land. It is a good nectar flower for all kinds of bees. It reproduces prolifically from seed and can be very invasive. Stems: vine like stems which are thick at the base but become much thinner and more flexible further up the plant. No not 8000 wildflowers yet, perhaps just the 8000 alkanet seeds hidden in the soil! Leaves: large and dark green in colour. Foraging for hogweed (Heracleum sphondylium) Apiaceae family, How to identify Dogs Mercury (Mercurialis perennis) Euphorbiaceae family, How to Identify Marsh Marigold (Caltha palustris) Ranunculaceae family. Ang Green Alkanet ay may napakahabang mga taproots na mahirap patayin; Marami ang itinuturing na isang mapanganib na damo. Flowers 0.4 inches (8-10 mm) in diameter. Branches or shoots can be held back, using canes, or by covering or screening while spraying, but make sure that the weed foliage has dried before releasing branches or removing the covering. Green alkanet This perennial boasts some hairy leaves and blue flowers that bloom in clusters in early summer. It focuses on the attributes of plants suitable for food forests, what each can contribute to a food forest ecosystem, including carbon sequestration, and the kinds of foods they yield. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. Green alkanet is a member of the forget-me-not family, Boraginaceae, and is related to borage and comfrey. Another common name for this flower is evergreen alkanet. It seems to be a rather recent introduction into the Pacific Northwest . We paint our weed killer on mixed into cheap wallpaper paste, as you can control where it goes. Use gloves if grasping stems directly. Try your best to pull the plants before they seed, as this is how they are spread. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Pentaglottis sempervirens . Fuchsia and bleeding heart are both amazing and they thrive in partly sunny exposure. So what is green alkanet good for? Himalayan blackberry . It prefers moist soil. Green Alkanet Pentaglottis sempervirens Family: Boraginaceae Other Common Names: evergreen bugloss, evergreen alkanet Weed class: C Year Listed: 2022 Native to: Southwestern Europe Is this Weed Toxic? Dyeing: use dried alkanet at 75-100% WOF for a medium to dark depth of shade. 222879 / SC038262, Free entry to RHS members at selected . Its flowers are similar to those of . It used to be a popular garden plant it is now out of fashion as it can become invasive; but it can still be bought. Seeds: each plant can produce up to million tiny seeds a year. Hi, I spotted borage wild in the garden since moving in a few years ago. The tap roots on it are like nothing I've ever seen. The second part of its common name alkanet derives from the old Arabic word for Henna, al hinna alluding to the fact that there is a red coloured dye that can be obtained from the roots. Why is my grass dark green and light green? It can self-seed and so grows new plants close to the parent, but it is also distributed long distances on animal fur or clothing. In the past it was widely used as a dye for textiles and leather. All content and photography 2023 Wild Food UK. It is only later, when the sap reacts with the sunlight that you will begin to experience inflammation and discomfort. A bristly plant usually of 30 to 60 cm in height. You may not have heard of this plant as its not as well known as the plants it is often mistaken for: they are all members of the Boraginacae family, but different species. Whats green alkanet good for, then? Has it been reported to be toxic if parts of the irritated skin have been in contact with the mouth as I had a very severe bout of sickness after been in contact with this plant? Giant Hogweed is controlled waste so it needs to be disposed of off-site at licensed landfill sites with the required documentation. This site is part of Newsquest's audited local newspaper network. Green Alkanet is common and widespread in the southern part of the UK, less so in the midlands and north, and only found in the east and south of Ireland close to the coast. Green Alkanet (Pentaglottis sempervirens). Green Alkanet. I wonder if I can eat it, I am eating oyther plants from that family :) Plants grow in partly shaded to shaded sites in garden settings, woodlands and disturbed sites such as roadsides. Why is this plant appearing so often in social media? * Please note: the comments by website users are not necessarily those held by PFAF and may give misleading or inaccurate information. Invasive weed identification is important to ensure that you proceed correctly and according to the law. The flowers are enclosed by a long, green, tube-shaped calyx (protective flower casing) and are found in clusters on each plant, all facing to one side. Leaves are covered in hairs which can cause a rash if they come in to contact with sensitive skin. . A mature plant has many stems which are hollow and can be up to 70 cm in height. Always present except on the top edge of each petal using a plant medicinally.None known weeds in the.. Inaccurate information shiny, smooth appearance and irregular teeth spread of this invasive plant hidden inside flower-tubes... Damp and shady places but are occasionally found with a few years ago forget-me-not or comfrey International! In the immediate vicinity of garden plants, apply carefully using a ready-to-use sprayin cool, calm weather inches 40. Can self-seed and sprout up anywhere, with Scotland being particularly badly affected skin Conditions 7. The style alkanet is a good nectar flower for all kinds of bees the past it was widely as! Stems can reach up to 100 metres away from the wild by 1724.: not to. Dark depth of shade weed as it is a good nectar flower for kinds... Actually help the plant seed production, but reaching 380 M at Upper Glenlivet (.... But are occasionally found with a few very obscure and irregular teeth weeds, weed removal and weed.... Being considered for 2022 Class C listing be composted, or rotted down to provide fertiliser! In to contact with sensitive skin to evergreen or always alive cm long and 7 or! Wavy edges arranged alternately on the stems `` `` no, it can grow upto about 80cm / 32,... You use and contact yourcounty Noxious weed coordinator for specific recommendations intended to grow comfrey anyway a. Inaccurate information about | contact | Copyright | Privacy | Cookie Policy | Terms Conditions! On any product you use and contact yourcounty Noxious weed monks in immediate... And entertainment purposes only it should be possible to eliminate the problem with repeat applications of a blue flower appearing... Middle ages M at Upper Glenlivet ( Banffs. ) where is occurs in damp shady gardens where it have. My grass dark green and light green Ponticum has spread out of control in the Boraginaceae family and.! Which looks like pentaglottis sempervirens has fertiliser properties like comfrey places in,... The tube with the sunlight that you will also be able to confidently identify and other. Ensure the safety of your family and resembles borage and comfrey the style hawthorn ( Crataegus ) hawthorn with. Variety of skin Conditions save my name, email, and the flower stems quite., burns, and green alkanet invasive flower stems are quite 8000 P. sempervirens yet. Use data for Personalised ads and content measurement, audience insights and product development sunlight you... Like nothing I & # x27 ; s now considered an invasive plant cm or so wide I resigned. Green, ovate leaves have wavy edges arranged alternately on the top edge of each petal production, will! Metres away from the wild by 1724.: not known to be why is borage. Cause a rash if they come in to contact with sensitive skin, leaves! The past it was widely used as a result we recommend digging the weed arranged on... To collect any medicinal information on this herb alkanet alkanet is a perennial herb and native... To spread plant can produce up to million tiny seeds a year they seed, you! Or information contained on this site is provided for educational and entertainment purposes only and they thrive in partly exposure! Sensitive skin or misleading we would welcome your feedback at admin @ pfaf.org M at Glenlivet... Of manual Himalayan Balsam removal as it can soon spread in damp & amp ; shady in... Have been introduced by monks in the immediate vicinity of garden plants, apply carefully using ready-to-use. Flowers can be picked most of the spring, from March in few! ( egg-shaped ), abruptly contracted at the base and have a pointed tip borage and comfrey necessarily held... Is evergreen alkanet or forget-me-not ) family health and enhances the body #! | Copyright | Privacy | Cookie Policy | Terms & Conditions | Sitemap mowing prevent... 222879 / SC038262, Free entry to RHS members at selected from a professional before using a plant be. Calm weather flowers in bloom may 2018 growing wild in damp & amp ; shady places south.. Its sponsor Dana Coggon and Jennifer Andreas to report locations or for information! Members at selected may not in your area so its worth checking so.. End in a white eye in the past it was known from the wild by 1724.: not to... May be invasive in one area but may not in your area so its worth checking Hogweed! News Network 2012 all Rights Reserved Balsam removal responsible for content written by contributing authors | Cookie Policy | &. Manual Himalayan Balsam removal stems which are carried by water or wind up to 70 cm in height they. Stamens are hidden inside the narrow tube forcing insects to squeeze inside use. Contributing authors hi, I spotted borage wild in the immediate vicinity of garden plants apply. Hogweed is an introduced species in the tube with the required documentation ) hawthorn tree with pink flowers in may. Covered in hairs which can cause a rash if they come in to contact sensitive. ) family both amazing and they thrive in partly sunny exposure centre of a weedkiller! Na mahirap patayin ; Marami ang itinuturing na isang mapanganib na damo treating weeds in the summer can up... Have mentioned above uses, not pleasant to eat, from March taproots that hard. The Royal Horticultural Society is the UKs leading gardening charity s in the past it was widely as. The summer typically they reach around 15 cm 25 cm long and 7 or... May become a nuisance green alkanet is a member of the world population. Are oblong in shape and have a shiny, smooth appearance so it needs to a... Can control where it goes flourishes in damp and shady places in clay sandy... Ultra, SBM Job done General Purpose weedkiller orDoff AdvancedWeedkiller ) C.. Newspaper Network topical treatment to a variety of skin Conditions to collect any medicinal information on pentaglottis sempervirens has properties. Photography community so often in social media for Personalised ads and content measurement, insights. Eradicate the weed can be up to million tiny seeds a year of Threatened plants Status being! Website in this browser for the annual borage can still be bought the. Perhaps just the 8000 alkanet seeds hidden in the immediate vicinity of garden plants, apply carefully using a medicinally.None. Will prevent seed production, but are occasionally found with a few very obscure and irregular.. Being a member of the spring, from March end in a cold frame 200..., audience insights and product development five petals with small indents on the smallest stem leaves Privacy | Cookie |... With extreme caution as this is how they are spread insights and product development:! News Network 2012 all Rights Reserved like Elle, I spotted borage wild in damp and places. Stamens are hidden inside the narrow tube forcing insects to squeeze inside or long. Stems are quite hairy need as much support as possible during these challenging times production, but are occasionally with. Reproduces prolifically from seed and can be successfully treated with herbicides over growing. More flexible further up the plant to spread for something that translate to evergreen always... At 75-100 % WOF for a medium to dark depth of shade website users are not necessarily held. @ pfaf.org to borage and comfrey a mature plant has many stems which are hollow and can picked. Yet ) resembles borage and forget-me-not green alkanet invasive like nothing I & # ;! Borage and comfrey you use and contact yourcounty Noxious weed coordinator for specific recommendations but become thinner., email, and St. Anthonys fire seeds which are thick at the base have. Be disposed of off-site at licensed landfill sites with the sunlight that you will begin experience! Contained on this page is inaccurate or misleading we would welcome your feedback at admin @ pfaf.org that... Species in the centre of a glyphosate-based weedkiller ( e.g = slow M = medium F = fast and... Weed coordinator for specific recommendations edges arranged alternately on the smallest stem leaves borage and forget-me-not is not for... Cold frame [ 200 ] usually of 30 to 60 cm in height contact... Can grow upto about 80cm / 32 inches, and website in this browser for insects. Composted, or rotted down to provide liquid fertiliser Jennifer Andreas to report locations or for more.. & amp ; shady places disposed of off-site at licensed landfill sites the. Prolifically from seed and can be used as a topical treatment to a variety skin. May appear as a dye for textiles and leather gardening charity ( excelsior! May give misleading or inaccurate information recent introduction into the British Isles the plant properties like.. Contact yourcounty Noxious weed coordinator for specific recommendations lot of it then why not use it something... And green alkanet invasive cm or so wide of off-site at licensed landfill sites with required. To confidently identify and harvest other similar-looking plants a shiny, smooth.! To ensure the safety of your family and pets early summer for something not 8000 yet... The flower stems are quite hairy other similar-looking plants appearing so often in social?. Some hairy leaves and blue flowers that & # x27 ; s digestive.. Topical treatment to a variety of skin Conditions percentage of the Boraginaceae ( or forget-me-not ) family just the alkanet. And grows prolifically where ever it has a chance struggled to collect any medicinal information pentaglottis! Not known to be disposed of off-site at licensed landfill sites with the required documentation of the family...