Plant

Green Alkanet

Pentaglottis sempervirens

Also known as Evergreen Bugloss

Green alkanet forms lush, bristly clumps of dark green leaves topped by sprays of vivid sky-blue flowers, each marked with a crisp white center. Native to southwestern Europe, it has naturalized widely across Britain and other temperate regions, thriving in shaded hedgerows, woodland edges, and damp gardens. Its long-lasting blooms open from spring into summer, providing an important early-season nectar source for long-tongued bees.

PerennialFloweringBristly

—observations

—countries

—peak records

Least ConcernConservation status

Key facts

Diet & preySunlight, Water, Soil nutrients

Predators

Slugs
Snails
Aphids

ThreatsNo major threats; often spreads vigorously as a persistent garden weed

HabitatsHedgerows, woodland edges, shaded banks, damp roadsides, and gardens

Life spanPerennial (lives for several to many years)

Classification

OrderBoraginales
FamilyBoraginaceae
GenusPentaglottis
SpeciesPentaglottis sempervirens

Range & activity

Range data is not available yet.

Safe observation

Interaction riskLow

Low
Moderate
High
Very high

Why interaction risk is low: Safe to observe at a normal distance; stiff leaf hairs can mildly irritate sensitive skin if handled.

Responsible observation

Check the Flower Center: Look for the crisp white eye at the throat of each five-petaled blue bloom to distinguish it from forget-me-nots.
Wear Gloves if Touching: Use gloves when clearing or handling stems, as the stiff bristly hairs can scratch or mildly irritate bare skin.
Watch for Bees: Pause beside sunny or dappled clumps in spring to observe bumblebees and solitary bees foraging on the nectar.

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