Blue Houndstongue

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Blue Houndstongue (Cynoglossum grande), also known as Western Hound's Tongue and Pacific Houndstongue, is one of two native houndstongue species found along the West Coast.

The name houndstongue derives from the shape of the leaves rather than the look of the flower.

The look of the flower can ring the recollect bell, as do many of the flowers in the forget-me-not family (Borage). Houndstonge tends to be a larger than the average forget-me-not.

The most common houndstongue found across the United States, (Cynoglossum officinale) is an introduced species, toxic to livestock. There is some evidence that all plants in the Cynoglossum genus are toxic and consuming any species is not recommended.

Flowers from the introduced houndstonge are a shade of red, making them easy to distinguish from the native blue species.

© 2008 Patricia A. Michaels