Green alkanet (Pentaglottis sempervirens)
Introduction
The photograph on this page of Green alkanet (Pentaglottis sempervirens) by Evelyn Simak as part of the Geograph project.
The Geograph project started in 2005 with the aim of publishing, organising and preserving representative images for every square kilometre of Great Britain, Ireland and the Isle of Man.
There are currently over 7.5m images from over 14,400 individuals and you can help contribute to the project by visiting https://www.geograph.org.uk
Green alkanet (Pentaglottis sempervirens)
Image: © Evelyn Simak Taken: 8 May 2018
Growing on an old brick wall flanking Southgate Lane. Green alkanet is a member of the forget-me-not family, Boraginaceae, and is related to borage and comfrey. Imported into Britain hundreds of years ago for use as a dye, it was particularly cultivated by monasteries because the roots of the plant produce a rich red that is ideal for ecclesiastical cloth. Its religious connections may go back as far as ancient Egypt where priestesses are said to have used it as a hair dye. The plant can be found in damp or shady habitats, on the edges of woods, in hedgerows and on cultivated land.
Images are licensed for reuse under creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0
Image Location
Latitude
52.621066
Longitude
1.302519