Cynoglossum officinale

'Hound's Tongue'

[Ex. Oxfordshire, England]

Boraginaceae: an upright, downy biennial or short-lived perennial herb to 75cm, the whole plant smells strongly of mice. Grows in dry, grassy places, often on chalky soil and near the coast. The flowers are 5-7mm across, maroon, 5-lobed, and form clusters, from June-August. The fruit are in comprising of 4 flattened, oval nutlets covered in hooked bristles. The leaves narrow, hairy. The lower ones stalked. Widespread, but most common in South and East England. Native to Europe, including Britain, though absent from the extreme north and rare in south, east to Asia.

USES:

Hound's tongue has a long history of use as a medicinal herb, though it is rarely used in modern herbalism. The leaves and roots have analgesic, antihaemorrhoidal, antispasmodic, astringent, digestive, emollient and slightly narcotic properties.

GROWING INFORMATION:

Sow seeds in situ in early summer. The seed can be sown in spring or autumn; a period of cold stratification improves germination. Prefers a sandy, gravelly and basic soils, growing well in an ordinary well-drained soil, and succeeding in full sun or partial shade.

The flowers are an absolute magnet for bees.

HARVESTED:

APPROX. 25+ SEEDS