ALKANETS 





upper ones scarcely continued down stem. Flowers smaller, ochreous in 

 colour ; June and July. 

 Cultivation. Comfreys succeed in almost any soil, but especially 



where there is a tendency to wetness. They do not object 

 to shade, and may on that account often be grown to advantage where a 

 bold subject is desired on the edge of a plantation. They come freely 

 from seed sown in the open border, and may also be increased by dividing 

 the rootstock in spring. But they should not be planted where the coarse 

 seedhngs will interfere with more delicate subjects. 



Natural Order Boragixe^. Genus Anchusa 



Akchusa (of doubtful derivation). A genus of about thirty species of 

 annual or perennial herbs, usually bristly, with flowers of similar con- 

 struction to those of Symphytum, with a straight or curved corolla-tube, 

 whose throat is closed by hairs or scales, and whose limb is obliquely 

 cut, or spreading in five lobes. The four nutlets are rough. They are 

 natives of Europe and Western Asia ; three being indigenous to Britain. 

 Principal Species. Anchusa capensis (Cape of Good Hope). Plant tufted; 

 stems hairy, li foot high. Leaves narrow-lance-shaped, 

 wavy and bristly. Flowers blue with white centre ; in terminal cymes ; 

 July. Introduced from South Africa, 1800. Biennial. 



A. ITALICA (Italian). Stems 3 to 4 feet high, bristly. Leaves lance- 

 shaped, glossy; radical ones as much as 2 feet long. Flowers bright 

 blue or purple; June to August. Introduced from the Caucasus, 1810. 

 Perennial. 



A. OFFICINALIS (of the shops). Stems densely covered with soft 

 Ijristles, angled; 1 to 2 feet high. Leaves narrow-lance-shaped, the 

 radical ones with winged footstalks. Flowers violet-blue with white 

 centre, J-inch across ; June and July. Native biennial. 



A. SEMPERVIRENS (evergreen). Stem bristly, unbranched, 1 to 2 feet 

 high. Leaves oval-oblong, stalked. Flowers bright blue, with white 

 centre, |-mch across ; May and June. A rare native perennial. 

 Cultivation. Alkanets are quite hardy, except A. capensis, which 



requires greenhouse accommodation in winter. They are 

 easily grown, with little regard for soil. A sunny position is the best 

 tor them. The perennial species may be increased by divisions in spring • 

 and all of them bv sowino- sp*.r1 i« .^^A.r .^;i f s » 



I by sowing seed in sandy soil. 



