Flowers in Israel: Prickly Alkanet

Anchusa strigosa, Prickly Alkanet,
Hebrew: לשון-פר סמורה, Arabic: لسان الثور / حمحم

Scientific name:   Anchusa strigosa Banks et Solander
Common name:   Prickly Alkanet
Hebrew name:   לשון-פר סמורה

Arabic name:

  

لسان الثور / حمحم

Family:

  

Boraginaceae, זיפניים


Derivation of the botanical name:

Anchusa, αγχουσα, a plant used for cosmetic as a rouge.

strigosa, striga, a straight rigid close-pressed rather short bristle-like hair; strigosa – covered with strigae, bristled.
The Hebrew name: לשון-פר, lashon-par, ‘ox-tongue’, the leaves have raised spots with short, hooked bristles, giving the leaves a very rough feeling (like an ox’s tongue, hence the name).

  • The standard author abbreviation Banks is used to indicate Joseph Banks (1743 – 1820), a British naturalist, botanist and patron of the natural sciences.
  • The standard author abbreviation Solander is used to indicate Daniel Solander (1733 – 1782), a Swedish botanist.

See the list of Medicinal herbs in Israel, the parts used and their medical uses to treat various diseases.