"dye material from bugloss plant roots," early 14c., from Spanish alcaneta, diminutive of alcana, from Arabic al-hinna (see henna). As the name of the plant itself, from 1560s.

This is a plant that has roots that yield a red dye, which is used to color various food products such as margarine. T

a group of plants whose roots give off a red dye; used primarily as a coloring agent, but according to some early herbalists, "it helps old ulcers, hot inflammations, and burnings by common f [..]

A plant used for coloring confectionary. alum: A salt with a very astringent effect consisting of crystals usually under one-half inch in size; used to make pickles crisp.

(n) perennial or biennial herb cultivated for its delicate usually blue flowers

1. <chemistry> A dyeing matter extracted from the roots of Alkanna tinctoria, which gives a fine deep red colour. 2. <botany> A boraginaceous herb (Alkanna tinctoria) yielding the dye; orchanet. The similar plant Anchusa officinalis; bugloss; also, the American puccoon. Origin: Dim. Of Sp. Alcana, alhea, in which al is the Ar. Article. [..]