Anchusa officinalis ‘Small Garden Buglosse’ Framed Vintage Floral Botanical Print

Presenting an original vintage botanical print by Elsa M. Felsko, renowned for lifelike depictions of flowers and plants, capturing the intricate beauty of nature with remarkable precision. Each print is professionally framed in an elegant gold frame and floated on a lush green mat.

Print size: 9.5 x 6.5 in (24 x 16.5 cm)

Frame size: 18 x 15 in (45 x 38 cm)

Anchusa officinalis, also known as common bugloss or common alkanet, originates from the steppes of South-eastern Europe. The flowers are notable for their popularity among bumblebees, thanks to a significant nectar flow. Flowering clusters, densely packed with blooms along one side of the stem, emerge from June to August in Europe. The flowers range in color from dark pink or crimson when new to dark purple-blue with a white center as they age.

The plant’s scientific name has a long history, with its first scientific name given by Carl Linnaeus in 1753. The name “officinalis” is an adjective used in medieval Latin meaning of a workshop, often applied to plants with common uses. The plant is frequently called “common bugloss” or “common alkanet” and is sometimes referred to as “small garden buglosse” due to its blue flowers resembling the blueish tongue of a cow. Traditionally, alkanet was valued for its sedative and analgesic properties. Young leaves were also consumed, either chopped into salads or prepared similarly to spinach.

This herbaceous plant typically grows 40 to 70 centimeters tall, although it can reach 100 centimeters under ideal conditions. Its stems are covered in short, coarse hairs, and it may be an annual, biennial, or perennial. It is native to Europe, from France into Russia west of the Ural Mountains, and south into Kazakhstan.

Ecologically, common bugloss provides a significant amount of nectar for pollinators, making it attractive to bumblebees and other bees. It is recognized for its role as a pollinator plant and its ability to support diverse insect populations.

Felsko’s dedication to both artistic excellence and scientific accuracy makes her work coveted by botanical enthusiasts, interior decorators, or anyone seeking to infuse their space with the beauty of nature. Each print measures approximately 24 x 16.5 cm (9.5 x 6.5 in), and is framed with generous matting adding depth and dimension to the artwork. with an overall frame size of 18 x 15 inches (approximately 45 x 38 cm.)

Elsa Maria Felsko-Schülke (1908 Berlin – 1987 Berlin) was a famed German flower painter and botanist. She studied graphics and design at the Textile School in Berlin, and studied botanical illustration at the University of Göttingen under the botanist Robert Pilger. She initially worked as a botanical illustrator at the University of Göttingen and later for Robert Pilger at the Botanical Museum in Berlin-Dahlem.

This is an original vintage print, not a copy or reproduction. Please note all sales are final!