Hounds-Tongue: From the Plant and Flower Alphabet
GRANITE BAY DESIGN PLANT & FLOWER ALPHABET
Houndstongue is a toxic biennial plant introduced from Europe, likely as a contaminant in cereal seed. Like other members of the Borage family, houndstongue is rough in texture and produces flowers in long, coiled stalks. In addition to poisoning animals who ingest it, houndstongue also produces prolific amounts of irritating bur-like seeds that cling to animals and clothing like Velcro.
Houndstongue is found throughout the United States and Canada and is considered a noxious weed in many western states. In King County, Washington, houndstongue is only present in a few locations, so we are actively looking for it and working to eradicate it where we find it.
Engravings from “Handbook of Plant and Floral Ornament from Early Herbals” by Richard G. Hatton (Originally published in 1909).
Plant descriptions primarily from Wikipedia.
