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| Identification |
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Genus
Borago
Species
officinalis
Variety
Cultivar
Common names
talewort
borage
cool-tankard
Family
BORAGINACEAE
Specimen number
S11976
Data source
HtZn p85;MedPl p177;UnVeg p55;Xeri p279
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| Life cycle |
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Life form
Terrestrial
Life cycle
Perennial
Life span
1 year
Annual cycle
Not applicable
Stature
Herb
Growth form
Not applicable
Growth habit
Various
Overall height
2' - 4'
Overall spread
1' - 1' 6"
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| Climate |
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Sunshine
Full sun to partial shade
Water
Optimal soil texture
Soil texture 26
Acceptable soil pH
Soil pH 06-07
USDA hardiness
Not classified
AHS heat zones
Heat zones 10-03
Sunset climate zones
Not classified
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| Garden |
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Suitable for gardens
yes
Nursery
Unknown
Compost
no
Size at acquisition
Unknown
Garden location
Unknown
Garden notes
Be careful where you put this because of its invasive tendencies. Borago officinalis needs summer days with high heat. Borage (also known as talewort and cool-tankard) does best in full sun to partial shade.
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| Special qualities |
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Tolerates drought
no
Tolerates high humidity
no
Tolerates seaside conditions
no
Insect resistant
no
Disease resistant
no
Deer resistant
no
Best uses
Symbiosis
Attracts butterflies
no
Attracts hummingbirds
no
Autumn foliage
no
Colorful berries
no
Desirable qualities
Other interest
Other interest color
Other interest period
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| Adverse factors |
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Common pests
Poisonous parts
Poisonous indications
Internal poison
no
Dermatologic poison
no
Livestock poison
no
Mechanical injury
no
Hay fever pollen
Hay fever season
Adverse qualities
Invasive
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| Herbal medicine |
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Medicinal properties
demulcent
emollient
diaphoretic
diuretic
Medicinal parts
Aerial parts
Flowers
Seed oil
Has medicinal uses
yes
Do not self-administer
no
Do no use if pregnant
no
Legally restricted
no
Toxicity precautions
Aerial parts and flowers may be unsafe when taken internally, seed oil may be OK
Medicinal notes
It has a distinctive flavor with a hint of cucumber. Borago officinalis is most often used cooked. Borage (sometimes called talewort and cool-tankard) has too many possible beneficial herbal uses to fully enumerate. A few of its uses include: as a demulcent, as an emollient, as a diaphoretic and as a diuretic. See the medicinal properties section for the full list. The aerial parts together with the flowers and the seed oil are considered to be the valuable parts by the herbalist. Aerial parts and flowers may be unsafe when taken internally, seed oil may be OK.
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| Traditional uses |
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Parts used
Traditional uses
Contemporary uses
Fragrance
leaves and flowers have cucumber flavor
Fragrance parts
Leaves
Flowers
Fragrance intensity
Fragrance category
Dye parts
Dye color
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| Cultivation |
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Propagule
Seed
Pollination method
Planting style
Crowns and leaves
Crop spacing
2'
Row spacing
2'
Cold frame
Planting period
Nov 01 - Mar 31
Harvesting period
Frost tolerance
Partially hardy
Heat requirement
Warm
Fertilizer
Potassium
Time to harvest
early summer
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| Nutrition |
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Is edible
yes
Culinary uses
Cooked
Nutritional value
Edible parts
Leaves
Description of edible parts
Flavor / texture
has a distinctive flavor with a hint of cucumber
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| Horticulture |
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Horticulture notes
The optimal planting season is during November and March. Typical crop spacing is 2'. Provide 2' spacing between rows. It requires warm days for good production. Potassium is required for optimal growth. The best harvesting period is early summer. Propagation of Borago officinalis can be achieved by seed.
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| Herbarium |
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Tag needs printing
no
Collection notes
Borago officinalis is a perennial. Flowers: Borage (locally known in some parts as talewort and cool-tankard) has drooping clusters of 3/4" star-shaped flowers. The flowers are most often a blue color.
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Page 690 of 4998
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