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Houndstongue, Gypsyflower

Cynoglossum officinale L.

Boraginaceae  (Borage Family)

▲ ▼ first year rosettes, non-flowering 

▲ ▼ flowering plants 

▲ ▼ 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

 

 

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