Cynoglossum officinale

Cynoglossum officinale, commonly known as hound's tongue, is a biennial or perennial plant belonging to the Boraginaceae family. Native to Europe and Asia, it has also been introduced and naturalized in North America. The plant can grow up to 1 meter tall and features large, hairy, lance-shaped leaves with pointed tips. Its small, pinkish-purple flowers, each with five petals, are arranged in clusters at the ends of the stems. For centuries, hound's tongue has been used for its medicinal properties, particularly its anti-inflammatory effects. Traditionally, it was a remedy for coughs, colds, wounds, and skin irritations. However, the plant contains toxic alkaloids that can cause liver damage if ingested in large quantities. In addition to its medicinal uses, hound's tongue is valued as an ornamental plant due to its attractive foliage and flowers. It prefers moist soils but can tolerate dry conditions once established. Overall, Cynoglossum officinale is an intriguing biennial or perennial herbaceous flowering plant. Its combination of medicinal qualities and ornamental appeal makes it popular among gardeners worldwide. However, caution is needed, as it is toxic if ingested carelessly by humans or animals.

🌳 Houndstongue is often planted in temperate gardens because of its beautiful maroon flowers, distinctive fuzzy foliage, and low-maintenance nature. It is typically used in cottage and meadow gardens or as part of a pollinator garden.

🎭 Soul that needs upliftment

Characteristics

Plant Type

Herb

Life Cycle

Biennial, Annual, Perennial

Genus

Cynoglossum

Family

Boraginaceae

Hardiness Zone

6-9

Mature Height

30 cm to 91 cm

Mature Spread

30 cm

Leaf Color

Green

Leaf Type

Deciduous

Flower Color

Purple

Flower Size

0.51 cm to 1.02 cm

Bloom Time

Late spring, Early summer, Mid summer

Planting Time

Spring, Autumn

Harvest Time

Mid summer

Native Area

Turkey, Sweden, Austria, Slovakia, Montenegro, Slovenia, Croatia, Belarus, Russia, Germany, Estonia, Romania, Latvia, Belgium, Netherlands, France, Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Armenia, Poland, Greece, Ukraine, Serbia, Lithuania, Norway, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, Denmark, Finland, Iran, Albania, Ireland, United Kingdom, Hungary, Azerbaijan

Tags (5)

Common Names (9)