SafePlants

Hound's Tongue (Cynoglossum spp.)

This page provides information about several species within the Cynoglossum genus, particularly focusing on Cynoglossum officinale (Common Hound's-tongue) and Cynoglossum zeylanicum (Ceylon Hound's-tongue).

Considerations for Pets

• Cynoglossum officinale is described as having an unpleasant smell and containing compounds capable of causing liver failure if ingested. The text also states that Clinical Signs: The plant is not very palatable, but will be eaten by animals with no other forage poisonings typically occur from ingestion of green plant material.

Scientific Name and Common Names

• Scientific Name: Cynoglossum officinale, Cynoglossum zeylanicum, Cynoglossum furcatum, Cynoglossum amabile, Cynoglossum virginianum
• Common Names:
  • Common Hound's-tongue (referring to Cynoglossum officinale)
  • Ceylon Hound's Tongue (referring to Cynoglossum zeylanicum and Cynoglossum furcatum)
  • Chinese Hound's Tongue (referring to Cynoglossum amabile)
  • Ceylon Forget-Me-Not (referring to Cynoglossum zeylanicum)
  • Wild Comfrey (referring to Cynoglossum virginianum and sometimes used for Cynoglossum zeylanicum)
  • Chinese Forget-Me-Not (referring to Cynoglossum amabile)

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Genus: Cynoglossum L.
• Family: Boraginaceae (Forget-me-not family)
• Species: Examples include Cynoglossum zeylanicum (Vahl) Thunb. ex Lehm., Cynoglossum furcatum Wall. ex Roxb., Cynoglossum virginianum L., Cynoglossum amabile
• Varietas: Cynoglossum furcatum var. furcatum, Cynoglossum furcatum var. villosulum (Nakai) Riedl.
• Synonyms:
  • Cynoglossum glochidiatum Wall. ex (synonym for Cynoglossum zeylanicum)

Distribution and Habitat

• Cynoglossum officinale is native to Asia, Africa, and Europe.
• Cynoglossum zeylanicum is found in Ceylon (Sri Lanka), India, Malaysia, Philippines (Luzon, Mindanao), Thailand, Java, Taiwan, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Darjeeling

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

• Ceylon Forget-Me-Not (Cynoglossum zeylanicum) is described as an erect, branched herb.
• The growth habit of Ceylon Hound's Tongue is Forb/herb.
• Duration of Ceylon Hound's Tongue: Biennial, Perennial.

Additional Information

• Cynoglossum officinale is described as a visually attractive plant, but has an unpleasant smell.

Further Information

• Discover Life offers a page with biology, natural history, ecology, identification, and distribution information about Cynoglossum furcatum.
• The Plant List is referenced as a source for accepted names.