SafePlants

Borage (Borago officinalis)

Borage, scientifically known as Borago officinalis, is also commonly called burrage, common bugloss, bee-bread, bee fodder, star flower, ox's tongue, and cool tankard. This hardy annual herb is prized for its culinary uses, vivid blue flowers, and ease of growth in gardens.

Considerations for Pets

• The text mentions that borage seeds contain small amounts of liver toxins.
• Borage is described as a bristly plant.

Considerations for Children

• Borage is described as a bristly plant.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Borago officinalis L.
• Family: Boraginaceae (Borage Family)
• Synonyms: Borago advena, Borago aspera, Borago hortensis, Burrage, Starflower, Common Bugloss, Beebread, Bee Plant
• Common Names: Borage, Common Borage, Cool-tankard, Tailwort, Starflower, Bee Bread, Common Bugloss, Bee Plant, Ox's Tongue, Cool Tankard, Burrage
• Variety: Blue, Alba (White Borage)

Distribution and Habitat

• Originally from Aleppo, borage is now naturalized in most parts of Europe.
• It is commonly found in gardens, parks, and "abandoned corners" of cities.
• It is also a common Mediterranean weed, thought to have originated from southern Spain and Morocco.
• It's frequently found in disturbed places and gardens.

Ecological Role

• Borage is described as freely seeding and overtaking native plant habitats.
• It is considered an exotic species in the U.S.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

• Borage is a hardy annual herb that grows up to 60 cm tall.
• It's a freely seeding, easy-growing plant.
• The plant is bristly and branched with hollow stems.
• It bears five-petaled, deep-blue, star-shaped flowers in clusters.

Uses

• Borage has culinary, decorative, and medicinal uses.
• The leaves can be eaten raw or cooked, often used in salads or as a substitute for spinach.
• It is commonly used in vegetable dishes in Germany, the Spanish regions of Aragón and Navarra, the Greek island of Crete, and northern Italy.
• The herb is also used to make soup.

Quirky Facts

• According to the ancient Greek physician Dioscorides, borage can "cheer the heart and lift the depressed spirits."

Interactions with Other Organisms

• It is referred to as "bee-bread" and "bee fodder," suggesting it's attractive to bees.

Further Information

• WebMD
• RHS (Royal Horticultural Society)
• Encyclopedia of Life
• USDA PLANTS Database
• ResearchGate
• Gettys