Anchusa (Anchusa officinalis), also called common bugloss or alkanet, is a bristly-leaved herb of the borage family whose small, five-petalled starflowers open a vivid violet-blue. Like the flowers of its close cousin borage, the little blooms are used as a colourful edible garnish and candied whole — scattered fresh over salads, frozen into ice cubes, or crystallised in sugar to decorate cakes and desserts — a classic edible-flower staple prized far more for its clear blue colour than for any strong flavour.