Trachystemon

Trachystemon is a monotypic genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Boraginaceae.^[1] The only species is Trachystemon orientalis, commonly known as Abraham-Isaac-Jacob or early-flowering borage.^[1]

Trachystemon
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Asterids
Order:	Boraginales
Family:	Boraginaceae
Genus:	Trachystemon D.Don
Species:	T. orientale
Binomial name
Trachystemon orientale (L.) G.Don

Its native range is Bulgaria to Turkey.^[1]

It is a perennial herb of the family Boraginaceae. It is frequently grown as an ornamental for its early blue-violet flowers and large leaves. It quickly spreads to provide a dense groundcover. "Trachystemon" is derived from the Greek "trachys", meaning rough, and "stemon", a stamen. The specific epithet, "orientalis" means eastern or from the orient, and is a reference to the native distribution of this species. Trachystemon orientalis is endemic to southeastern Europe and western Asia.^[2] In Turkey it is known as Kalidirk dolmasi and leaves are traditionally eaten as a spinach-like vegetable.