Houndstongue

Houndstongue, Gypsyflower

Cynoglossum officinale L.

Boraginaceae (Borage Family)

▲ ▼ first year rosettes, non-flowering

▲ ▼ flowering plants

▲ flowerings

▲ fruit

Houndstongue:

Herbaceous biennial in the Borage Family (Apiacaeae) native to Eurasia with rosette of ovate, soft, hairy leaves during first year
Produces a 1-3 foot tall flowering stem in second year, with racemes of small reddish to maroon or almost purple, 5-petaled flowers
Stems are green and also covered with soft hairs; more hairy plants have grayish appearance
Fruit forms in 4 sections, with small gland-tipped spines around outside of fruit
Leaves and stems are very toxic to livestock