| Botanical Name | Cynoglossum officinale |
| Common Name | Hound’s tongue |
| Family | Boraginaceae - Forget-me-not, Borage |
| Description | This naturalized European plant is usually a biennial, sending up a flowering stalk the second year. Lower leaves are up to 12” long and are petioled. The upper ones do not have petioles and are smaller. The stems and the lower sides of the leaves are very hairy. The upper sides are rough to the touch. They grow in shaded areas. |
| Mature Size | 1’ – 3’ |
| Bloom | In late spring reddish-purple flowers appear in terminal clusters. 5 petals are joined into short tubes, about ¼” across. Rounded, flattened nutlets are covered with tiny, barbed bristles in groups of 4. |
| Interesting Facts | Cynoglossum officinale is toxic, causing liver problems in livestock. But it is seldom eaten. It is sometimes a troublesome weed in the mountains where there is more rain. |
| Traditional and Medicinal Uses | Native Americans used a preparation from the roots to treat burns and hemorrhoids. Officinale is a word applied to plants with real or supposed medicinal properties. |
 Janice Tucker |
 Janice Tucker |
 Janice Tucker |
 Beverly Kune |