Talewort Borago officinalis

• Attributes:

  Genus:

  Borago

  Species:

  officinalis

  Family:

  Boraginaceae

  Uses (Ethnobotany):

  The flowers are used for creating a blue dye. Once added to an acid, it will turn pink.

  Life Cycle:

  Annual

  Recommended Propagation Strategy:

  Seed

  Country Or Region Of Origin:

  Mediterranean

  Wildlife Value:

  Attracts bees and other wildlife.

  Play Value:

  Attracts Pollinators

  Wildlife Food Source

  Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):

  poor soil

  Edibility:

  In general, the flowers (used as edible flowers) and leaves (used in salads, teas, and sandwiches) are edible. More specifically, the wrinkled, dull gray-green leaves that are covered with bristly hairs are edible. They can be eaten raw or cooked in the same manner as spinach, but have the taste and scent of a salty cucumber. Used as an herb or added to a salad. It is best to chop the leaves up finely as the hairy leaves do not leave a pleasant feeling in the mouth. Once dried, the leaves lose their flavor. The stems are also flavorful and can be used once dried for flavoring beverages.

  Dimensions:

  Height: 1 ft. 7 in. - 3 ft. 2 in.

  Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 4 in.

• Whole Plant Traits:

  Plant Type:

  Annual

  Edible

  Herb

  Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:

  Deciduous

  Habit/Form:

  Spreading

  Growth Rate:

  Medium

  Maintenance:

  Low

• Cultural Conditions:

  Light:

  Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)

  Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)

  Soil Texture:

  Clay

  Loam (Silt)

  Sand

  Soil pH:

  Acid (<6.0)

  Alkaline (>8.0)

  Neutral (6.0-8.0)

  Soil Drainage:

  Good Drainage

  Occasionally Dry

  Available Space To Plant:

  Less than 12 inches

  NC Region:

  Coastal

  Mountains

  Piedmont

  USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:

  2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b

• Flowers:

  Flower Color:

  Blue

  Flower Inflorescence:

  Cyme

  Flower Value To Gardener:

  Edible

  Showy

  Flower Bloom Time:

  Fall

  Summer

  Flower Shape:

  Star

  Flower Petals:

  4-5 petals/rays

  Flower Size:

  < 1 inch

• Leaves:

  Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:

  Deciduous

  Leaf Color:

  Gray/Silver

  Green

  Leaf Value To Gardener:

  Edible

  Leaf Type:

  Simple

  Leaf Shape:

  Obovate

  Ovate

  Hairs Present:

  Yes

  Leaf Length:

  3-6 inches

  Leaf Description:

  Edible, wrinkled, ovate, dull gray-green leaves grow up to 6" long. They taste like cucumber. The leaves are covered with bristly hairs.

• Stem:

  Stem Color:

  Brown/Copper

  Green

  Red/Burgundy

  Stem Is Aromatic:

  No

  Stem Surface:

  Hairy (pubescent)

  Stem Description:

  The branched stems are covered with bristly hairs.

• Landscape:

  Landscape Location:

  Coastal

  Container

  Patio

  Slope/Bank

  Small Space

  Walkways

  Landscape Theme:

  Edible Garden

  Pollinator Garden

  Design Feature:

  Border

  Mass Planting

  Small groups

  Attracts:

  Bees

  Pollinators

  Resistance To Challenges:

  Deer

  Diseases

  Insect Pests

  Poor Soil

  Rabbits

  Problems:

  Poisonous to Humans

  Problem for Cats

  Problem for Children

  Problem for Dogs

  Problem for Horses

• Poisonous to Humans:

  Poison Severity:

  Low

  Poison Symptoms:

  Vomiting, diarrhea, dermatitis

  Poison Toxic Principle:

  Tannins, mucilage

  Causes Contact Dermatitis:

  No

  Poison Part:

  Leaves