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Common borage

How to identify Common borage (Borago officinalis)

Common borage, also known as Cover Crop, Borage, Beebread, Tailwort

Common borage is characterized by its vibrant, star-shaped blue flowers and coarse leaves that exhibit a striking gray-green hue. The foliage is distinctive with its wrinkled appearance and bristly texture, and is indeed edible. It thrives in the generous light of full sun, yet it remains resilient under the mild stress of partial shade. Adaptable to various ground conditions, common borage grows well even in soils that are less than fertile. This annual favors a hearty mix of sunlight and a tolerant range of soil types for optimal growth.

Lifespan

Lifespan: Annual, Biennial, Perennial

Plant Type

Plant Type: Herb

Leaf Type

Leaf Type: Deciduous

Quickly Identify Common borage

1

Star-shaped blue flowers with white-haired sepals

2

Coarse, wrinkled, gray-green leaves with bristly hairs

3

Highly branched stem covered in white bristly hairs

4

Distinctive cucumber-like fragrance in blooms

5

Blooms from late spring to early fall

Common borageCommon borageCommon borageCommon borageCommon borage

Detailed Traits of Common borage

Leaf Features

The leaves of common borage are up to 6 inches (15 cm) long, wrinkled, ovate, and dull gray-green. They have a cucumber-like taste and are covered with bristly hairs. These alternate leaves are hairy, with oval shapes and wavy margins, making them a distinguishing feature. The texture is coarse due to the bristly hairs, and the gray-green hue adds to their unique appearance.

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Flower Features

The flowers of common borage are borne on reddish stems and have five star-shaped sepals that are covered with white hairs. Each flower features five blue petals, contrasting with the pinkish-red sepals. The petals create a striking star-like appearance. The blooms are approximately 1 inch (2.5 cm) in diameter. They generally emit a light, cucumber-like fragrance and bloom predominantly from late spring to early fall, making them a distinctive feature for identification.

Common borage Flower image
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Stem Features

The stem of common borage is highly branched and coarse, presenting a robust structure. It is densely covered with bristly, white hairs that give it a rough texture. Typically, the stem thickness ranges from 0.25 to 0.5 inches (0.6 to 1.3 cm). The hairs are a distinctive feature, making the stem appear somewhat hairy and helping in identification. The branched pattern and rough surface are distinguishing characteristics of the stem of common borage.

Common borage Stem image
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Key Facts About Common borage

Attributes of Common borage
Lifespan
Annual, Biennial, Perennial
Leaf Color
Green
Flower Size
1.5 cm to 2.5 cm
Flower Color
Blue
White
Fruit Color
Green
Stem Color
Green
Red
Brown
Leaf type
Deciduous
The Toxicity of Common borage
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Scientific Classification of Common borage

Family
Borage
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Genus
Borages
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Species
Common borage (Borago officinalis)
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Distribution Map of Common borage

The native range of common borage is Western and Central Mediterranean. It naturally grows in disturbed sites of urban environments. The species was introduced to many European and Asian countries, and much of North America, where it tends to invade disturbed areas. It is considered invasive in Alaska (USA).
Native
Cultivated
Invasive
Potentially invasive
Exotic
No species reported
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