Hounds Tongue

Cynoglossum officinale
Family: Boraginaceae
Herbaceous perennial. Native to Europe, Asia and North America. Very, very pretty
purple-blue lo!ered plant. "a#es a ine sho!ing in early spring, then or all
practical purposes disappears. $he mucilagenous root may be made into a paste and
applied to relieve the pain o hemorrhoids. Internal use not recommended, as the
plant contains potentially carcinogenic alkaloids. According to %erard, &It will tye
the tongues of Houndes so that they will not bark at you, if it be laid under the bottom
of your feet.' Hmmm. Cultivation: E(tra care. )eeds germinate irregularly over a
long period o time. *lant in a shaded location or in shaded lats. +eep moist. "oist,
cold conditioning or at least , !ee#s is very helpul. *lant - oot apart, in shade or
semi-shade. %ro!s about - oot tall. Not for sale to O !tate.
.eturn to Herb )eed /nde(