Family: Boraginaceae
common hound's-tongue, gypsy-flower
[Cynoglossum officinale f. bicolor L.]
Christopher Noll
Kitty Kohout
University of Wisconsin - Madison (WIS-VP)
Etymology: Cynoglossum: Greek for "dog's tongue"
Plants: erect, biennial, 8"-48" tall forb; stems unbranched
Leaves: many leaves, basal leaves large and tongue-shaped, stem leaves getting progressively smaller toward the top
Flowers: red to purple, 5-parted, 1/3" or less wide, saucer-shaped; inflorescence many raceme-like clusters from the upper leaf axils, the mature stalks widely curving; blooms June-July
Fruits: nutlet with prickles and a raised edge
Habitat: dry; woods, disturbed sites
Hazardous: Careful, this plant is hazardous!
Invasiveness: Restricted Invasive - Eradicate!
Conservation Status: Introduced - naturalized
Plants: erect, biennial, 8"-48" tall forb; stems unbranched
Leaves: many leaves, basal leaves large and tongue-shaped, stem leaves getting progressively smaller toward the top
Flowers: red to purple, 5-parted, 1/3" or less wide, saucer-shaped; inflorescence many raceme-like clusters from the upper leaf axils, the mature stalks widely curving; blooms June-July
Fruits: nutlet with prickles and a raised edge
Habitat: dry; woods, disturbed sites
Hazardous: Careful, this plant is hazardous!
Invasiveness: Restricted Invasive - Eradicate!
Conservation Status: Introduced - naturalized
A thoroughly naturalized Eurasian species of roadsides, fields, disturbed woods and trail edges, gravel pits, and lake shores (especially along Lake Michigan). First collected in 1859. A rare form with white flowers has been collected once in the state. This is a robust biennial, the flowering stems heavily branched and bearing copious fruits later in the season.
WIS DNR-Bureau of Endangered Resources: Detailed information on Wisconsin invasive species including decription, habitats, control methods Invasive And Exotic Species of North America: Descriptions, management issues, warnings, photos, etc. USDA Plants Database: Federal Distribution and detailed information including photos USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS): Images of seeds, fruits, embryos, etc. USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS): Images of seeds, fruits, embryos, etc. Southwest School of Botanical Medicine: Britton & Brown Illustrated Flora - 2nd Edition (1913) "An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada"
Kitty Kohout
Derek Anderson
Kurt Stüber
Kitty Kohout
Derek Anderson
Richard Bauer
Richard Bauer
