Anchusa
The genus Anchusa belongs to the borage family (Boraginaceae). It includes about 35 species found growing in Europe, North Africa, South Africa and Western Asia. They are introduced in the United States. They consist of annual plants, biennial plants and perennial plants with the general characteristics of the borage family. They are commonly herbaceous. The leaves are simple or undulate, covered with stiff hairs. The small radially symmetrical flowers are sapphire blue and retain their colour a long time. The plants show numerous flowers with five sepals, united at their bases, and five petals forming a narrow tube facing  upwards. The flowers grow in several axillary cymes, simple or branched, or are clustered at the end. The flowers are much frequented by bees. The genus "Anchusa" is commonly used in trough or rock gardens. The roots of "Anchusa" (just like those of "Alkanna" and "Lithospermum") contain anchusin (or alkanet-red), a red-brown resinoid colouring matter. It is insoluble in water, but soluble in alcohol, chloroform and ether. "Anchusa" species are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species including "Coleophora pennella". Taxonomy. There are four subgenera: "Buglossum", "Buglossoides", "Buglossellum" and "Anchusa". The first two form  one subclade, the other two each a separate subclade. The subclade of the subgenus "Anchusa" (containing "Anchusa capensis") is largely unresolved. If we consider "Anchusa" s.l., then it includes the subgenus "Limbata", which diverges markedly in its floral morphology. The subgenera "Buglossum", "Buglossellum" and "Buglossoides" clearly need new independent entities, while the subgenus "Anchusa" needs a narrower concept. This way taxonomy and phylogeny with respect to "Anchusa" can become completely analogous. The following genera are synonyms for "Anchusa": "Buglossum" Mill., "Hormuzakia" Gusul, "Lycopsis" L. and "Phyllocara" Gusul. The genus "Anchusella" Bigazzi et al. is sometimes included in "Anchusa". Anchusa The