Anchusa azurea var. azurea
Anchusa azurea var. azurea, commonly known as Bugloss, is a striking perennial herb celebrated for its intense, sky-blue blossoms. Belonging to the Boraginaceae family, this resilient plant thrives in sunny meadows. Traditionally valued for its aesthetic charm, it also holds historical significance in herbalism and supporting local pollinators.
- Scientific name: Anchusa azurea var. azurea
- Family: Boraginaceae
- Native range: Europe
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and is classified under the class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae, it follows the order Boraginales and falls under the family Boraginaceae. Specifically, it is identified by the genus Anchusa and is classified as the variety azurea.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Boraginales | WCVP |
| Family | Boraginaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Anchusa | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, Anchusa azurea var. azurea, is known by various regional names depending on the language. In English, it is most commonly referred to as Italian bugloss, while in German, it is known as Echter Alkan. In French, the species is called Buglosse officinale, and in Spanish, it is identified as Alkanet.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|
Distribution
This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution across several European regions. In Northern Europe, it can be found growing within Great Britain. Its presence extends into Middle Europe, where it is documented in Austria and Belgium. Furthermore, the species is established in the territories of Czechia and Slovakia. Finally, it is also widely distributed throughout Germany.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Europe | Great Britain | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Austria | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Belgium | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Czechia-Slovakia | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Germany | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Hungary | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Switzerland | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | Baleares | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | Corse | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | France | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, known as Bugloss, offers various therapeutic potential through its distinct botanical components. Researchers often focus on the leaf extract, which contains specific phytochemicals that may contribute to its traditional medicinal uses. Additionally, the flower extract is studied for its unique bioactive compounds, derived from the vibrant blue blooms, which may offer different pharmacological properties compared to the foliage.- Total parts
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 2
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| leaf extract | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| flower extract | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Anchusa azurea var. azurea has 5 reported activities identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Cytotoxic, Neuroprotective.
- Total activities
- 5
- Scientific sources
- 5
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antibacterial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antimicrobial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cytotoxic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Neuroprotective | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |