Borage
Borago officinalis subsp. var. | Borage | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Borage, also known as starflower is an annual herb originating in Syria, but naturalized throughout the Mediterranean region, as well as Asia Minor, Europe, North Africa, and South America. It grows to a height of 60 - 100 cm, and is bristly or hairy all over the stems and leaves; the leaves are alternate, simple, and 5 - 15 cm long. The flowers are complete, perfect with five narrow, triangular-pointed petals. Flowers are most often blue in color, although pink flowers are sometime observed. White flowered types are also cultivated. The flowers arise along scorpiod cymes to form large floral displays with multiple flowers blooming simultaneously, suggesting that borage has a high degree of geitonogamy. It has an indeterminate growth habit which may lead to prolific spreading. In milder climates, borage will bloom continuously for most of the year. Borage production does include use as either a fresh vegetable or a dried herb.
Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture |
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Borage (Borago officinalis, Linn.). Boraginaceae. A coarse annual plant grown for culinary use in some parts of Eu., as in Germany. Used as a potherb and sometimes with salads. Only the young lvs. are palatable. Mostly known in this country as a bee-plant and for its handsome blue or purplish racemed fls. It is a hairy plant, 1½-2 ft. high, with oval or oblong Lvs. Eu., N. Afr. Eng. Borago laxiflora DC., is a small, decumbent alpine, but of easy cult., offered in the trade. It has alternate, ovate lvs., hairy throughout, and pretty, long-peduncled, purple or violet fls. Corsica.
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Cultivation
Propagation
Pests and diseases
Varieties
Gallery
A white flower cultivar
References
- Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture, by L. H. Bailey, MacMillan Co., 1963