description
Borage is an annual weed plant, of the Boraginaceae family, that is hairy
and grows to approximately 1 ½ to 2 feet high. Some Borage leaves are oval
and grow on the stem and branches while others are rosette-shaped.
It grows
to a height of 60–100 cm (2.0–3.3 ft), and is bristly or hairy all over the
stems and leaves; the leaves are alternate, simple, and 5–15 cm (2.0–5.9 in)
long.
The flowers are complete, star-shaped, with five narrow,
triangular-pointed petals. Flowers are most often blue in color, although
pink flowers are sometimes observed. White flowered types are also
cultivated. The blue flower is genetically dominant over the white flower.
The flowers arise along scorpioid cymes to form large floral displays with
multiple flowers blooming simultaneously, suggesting that borage has a high
degree of intra-plant pollination. It has an indeterminate growth habit
which may lead to prolific spreading.
The fruit consists of four
brownish-black nutlets.
common names & nomenclature
Some authorities consider the Latin name Borago, from which Borage is taken,
is a corruption of corago, from cor, the heart, and ago. In all the
countries bordering the Mediterranean, where Borage is plentiful, it is
spelled with a double 'r,' so the word may be derived from the Italian
borra, French bourra—signifying hair or wool—words which are derived
from the Latin burra, a flock of wool, in reference to the thick covering of
short hairs which clothes the whole plant.
Also known as:
borage, burrage, common bugloss, bugloss, starflower
