SG Heritage Dictionary

Alkanet [Noun] Webster's Dictionary 1828

The plant bugloss. The root is used to impart a deep red color to oily substances, ointments, plasters, etc.

Alkanet [Noun] Webster's Dictionary 1913

1. A dyeing matter extracted from the roots of Alkanna tinctoria, which gives a fine deep red color.

2. A boraginaceous herb (Alkanna tinctoria) yielding the dye; orchanet.

3. The similar plant Anchusa officinalis; bugloss; also, the American puccoon.

Alkanet Encyclopedia Britannica

ALKANET(Alkanna tinctoria, or Anchusa tinctoria), a plant of the order Boraginaceoe, indigenous to the south of France and the shores of the Levant. It is extensively cultivated on the Continent for the sake of the root, which yields a fine colouring matter, imparting a beautiful canmine tint to oils, wines, wax, and all unctuous substances. Being perfectly harmless, alkanet is much used for colouring in pharmacy. Some of the mixtures styled port wine owe their colour to this dye, and it is also employed in staining furniture.

9th ed. Encyclopædia Britannica, vol. 1, p. 578
[88 words — estimated reading time: 1 minute]