Trachystemon is a monotypic genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Boraginaceae.
It is frequently grown as an ornamental for its early blue-violet flowers and large leaves.
"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.
[2] In Turkey it is known as Kalidirk dolmasi and leaves are traditionally eaten as a spinach-like vegetable.