Anchusa undulata L.
كحله (كَحْله) (Arabic), كحلى (كَحلى) (Arabic), كحلى (كَحَلى) (Arabic), كحيله (كَحيله) (Arabic), كحليه (كَحْليه) (Arabic)
Anchusa undulata is tuberculate-hispid. Stems are simple or branched from the base, erect, ascending or procumbent and angular. Basal leaves are 3-11 x 0.5-2 cm, oblong-lanceolate; the margin is undulate; the apex is obtuse or rounded; the base is long-attenuate. Petiole is up to 7 cm. Cauline leaves are 3-5.5 x 0.5-1.5 cm, narrowly lanceolate, acute and sessile. Inflorescence is raceme-like, and much elongate in fruit. Flowers are pedicellate, and bracteate. Bracts are ovate-lanceolate, acute, and cordate at the base. Calyx is 0.6-1 cm, divided to 1/2 of its length, accrescent and inflated in fruit. Corolla is 0.8-1.5 cm, deep violet, and infundibular; tube is 0.6-1.2 cm.; limb is 5-7 mm; scales are 1.5-3 mm, oblong-ovate, and inserted at the top of the tube. Stamens are inserted at the middle of the tube, not overlapping with the scales. Anthers are1.5-2.5 mm, linear-lanceolate, and apiculate; ovary is 1 mm, and 4-lobed, glabrous; style is up to 0.9-1.1 cm, slender; stigma is capitate to obscurely 2-lobed; nutlets are 4, 2-2.5 x 3-4 mm, enclosed by the persistent accrescent calyx, obliquely ovoid, the apex blunt or slightly incurved, reticulate-ribbed, finely tuberculate.
Height: 10-50 cm.
Ecology and Distribution
Mediterranean region except Spain.
Distribution in Egypt
Sandy coastal plains, roadsides, waste ground.
Biennial or short-lived perennial