alkanet n 1: perennial or biennial herb cultivated for its delicate usually blue flowers [syn: {bugloss}, {alkanet}, {Anchusa officinalis}]
Alkanet \Al"ka*net\ ([a^]l"k[.a]*n[e^]t), n. [Dim. of Sp. alcana, alhe[~n]a, in which al is the Ar. article. See {Henna}, and cf. {Orchanet}.] 1. (Chem.) A dyeing matter extracted from the roots of {Alkanna tinctoria}, which gives a fine deep red color. [1913 Webster] 2. (Bot.) (a) A boraginaceous herb ({Alkanna tinctoria}) yielding the dye; orchanet. (b) The similar plant {Anchusa officinalis}; bugloss; also, the American puccoon. [1913 Webster]
Bugloss \Bu"gloss\, n.; pl. {Buglosses}. [F. buglosse, L. buglossa, buglossus, fr. Gr. ? oxtongue ? ox + ? tongue.] (Bot.) A plant of the genus {Anchusa}, and especially the {Anchusa officinalis}, sometimes called {alkanet}; oxtongue. [1913 Webster] {Small wild bugloss}, the {Asperugo procumbens} and the {Lycopsis arvensis}. {Viper's bugloss}, a species of {Echium}. [1913 Webster]