1. A plant of the borage family with red roots, native to the Mediterranean region, yielding a red dye.
Usage: Also called dyer's bugloss or Spanish bugloss
2. A red or purple dye obtained from the roots of the alkanet plant, historically used in cosmetics and textiles.

Examples

• The alkanet plant grows wild in Mediterranean countries.
• Medieval dyers extracted a vibrant red dye from alkanet roots.
• Alkanet was once a popular ingredient in lip stains and rouge.
• The roots of the alkanet plant contain a pigment prized by textile makers.
• Cosmetic manufacturers have largely replaced natural alkanet with synthetic dyes.