This is an archived copy of this article, recovered after a server failure in January 2022.

Some links may be broken, and editing is disabled. We are working to bring back full functionality.

Cynoglossum officinale
  • Hound's Tongue

a biennial or perennial member of the Cynoglossum genus in the family Boraginaceae.

248px
Niche
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    The ecosystem niches for this plant are unknown. Do you know them? Click the edit button to add them!
Functions
  • None
    None
    There are no functions defined for this plant. Do you know of some? Click the edit button to add them!
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • no shade
    No shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • neutral,alkaline
    Neutral to Alkaline
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Loamy
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 6
    Zone 6
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Cynoglossum officinale has 0 edible uses listed
Cynoglossum officinale has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Toxic parts

Houndstongue contains alkaloids that can cause cancer when the plant is consumed in large quantities[1].

The plant is also said to be slightly poisonous[2], there are no reported cases of human poisoning but there are some cases of cattle being poisoned[3]. The plant has a disagreeable odour and taste so is seldom eaten by animals[4].

Contact with the plant can cause dermatitis in sensitive people[5].

Edible uses

Notes

Young leaves - raw or cooked[6][7][8][9][10]. A disagreeable odour and taste[4]. Caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity.

Leaves

Unknown use

Material uses

There are no material uses listed for Cynoglossum officinale.

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

Hound's tongue has a long history of use as a medicinal herb, though it is rarely used in modern herbalism[11][12]. The leaves contain allantoin, a highly effective agent that speeds up the healing process in the body[238, K]. Caution should be applied, however, since narcotic effects result from large doses taken internally[11] and the plant is potentially carcinogenic[5] (though it has also been used in the treatment of cancer[13]). The leaves and roots are analgesic, antihaemorrhoidal, antispasmodic, astringent, digestive, emollient and slightly narcotic[14][11][15][2][6][5].

The plant contains the alkaloids cynoglossine and consolidin, which are used medicinally to relieve pain[4]. They depress the central nervous system and are also potentially carcinogenic[5]. The plant has been used internally in the treatment of coughs and diarrhoea, though it is now mainly used externally as a poultice on piles, wounds, minor injuries, bites and ulcers[5][1]. The root is harvested at the end of spring of the plants second year[11]. Another report says that it is best harvested in the autumn and dried for later use[1]. The leaves and flowering shoots are harvested as the plant comes into flower and are dried for later use[1]. The plant has a wide antitumour reputation for cancers of various types[13].

A homeopathic remedy is made from the roots[11]. It is very effective in the treatment of insomnia[11].

Unknown part

Analgesic
Antihaemorrhoidal
Antispasmodic
Astringent
Cancer
Digestive
Emollient
Narcotic

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - sow in situ in early summer. The seed can be sown in spring or autumn, a period of cold stratification improves germination.

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Cynoglossum officinale. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Prefers sandy, gravelly and basic soils[16]. Grows well in an ordinary well-drained soil[17]. Succeeds in full sun or partial shade[1].

The flowers are an absolute magnet for bees[K].

The plant smells of mice[16].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Cynoglossum officinale. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Cynoglossum officinale.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Cynoglossum officinale
Genus
Cynoglossum
Family
Boraginaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
[6][7][8][9][10][4]
Medicinal uses
[11][12][5][13][14][15][2][6][4][1]
Material uses & Functions
Botanic
[16][18]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
6
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
no shade
Soil PH
neutral, alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy
Soil Water Retention
well drained
Environmental Tolerances
  • Strong wind
Ecosystems
Native Climate Zones
None listed.
Adapted Climate Zones
None listed.
Native Geographical Range
None listed.
Native Environment
None listed.
Ecosystem Niche
None listed.
Root Zone Tendancy
None listed.
Life
Deciduous or Evergreen
?
Herbaceous or Woody
?
Life Cycle
biennial, perennial
Growth Rate
?
Mature Size
0.8 x 0.5 meters
Fertility
self fertile
Pollinators
Insects
Flower Colour
?
Flower Type
hermaphrodite

"image:Illustration Cynoglossum officinale0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Illustration Cynoglossum officinale0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Illustration Cynoglossum officinale0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

"image:Illustration Cynoglossum officinale0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Illustration Cynoglossum officinale0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


"image:Illustration Cynoglossum officinale0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

"image:Illustration Cynoglossum officinale0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

"image:Illustration Cynoglossum officinale0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Illustration Cynoglossum officinale0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Illustration Cynoglossum officinale0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Illustration Cynoglossum officinale0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Illustration Cynoglossum officinale0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Illustration Cynoglossum officinale0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki."image:Illustration Cynoglossum officinale0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.






References

  1. ? 1.01.11.21.31.41.5 Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. ISBN 0-7513-020-31 (1995-00-00)
  2. ? 2.02.12.2 Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books ISBN 0-553-23827-2 (1983-00-00)
  3. ? Cooper. M. and Johnson. A. Poisonous Plants in Britain and their Effects on Animals and Man. HMSO ISBN 0112425291 (1984-00-00)
  4. ? 4.04.14.24.34.4 Craighead. J., Craighead. F. and Davis. R. A Field Guide to Rocky Mountain Wildflowers The Riverside Press ISBN 63-7093 (1963-00-00)
  5. ? 5.05.15.25.35.45.5 Foster. S. & Duke. J. A. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America. Houghton Mifflin Co. ISBN 0395467225 (1990-00-00)
  6. ? 6.06.16.26.3 Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim (1959-00-00)
  7. ? 7.07.1 Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable ISBN 0094579202 (1974-00-00)
  8. ? 8.08.1 Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing (1976-00-00)
  9. ? 9.09.1 Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books ISBN 3874292169 (1984-00-00)
  10. ? 10.010.1 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)
  11. ? 11.011.111.211.311.411.511.6 Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald ISBN 0-356-10541-5 (1984-00-00)
  12. ? 12.012.1 Stuart. M. (Editor) The Encyclopedia of Herbs and Herbalism Orbis Publishing. London. ISBN 0-85613-067-2 (1979-00-00)
  13. ? 13.013.113.2 Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. ISBN 0-917256-20-4 (1985-00-00)
  14. ? 14.014.1 Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 (1984-00-00)
  15. ? 15.015.1 Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn ISBN 0-600-37216-2 (1981-00-00)
  16. ? 16.016.116.2 Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press (1962-00-00)
  17. ? F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
  18. ? Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)

Cite error: <ref> tag with name "PFAFimport-244" defined in <references> is not used in prior text.

"image:Illustration Cynoglossum officinale0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

Retrieved from "http://practicalplants.org/w/index.php?title=Cynoglossum_officinale&oldid=76746"
Facts about "Cynoglossum officinale"RDF feed
Article is incompleteYes +
Article requires citationsNo +
Article requires cleanupYes +
Belongs to familyBoraginaceae +
Belongs to genusCynoglossum +
Has common nameHound's Tongue +
Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
Has edible partLeaves +
Has edible useUnknown use +
Has environmental toleranceHigh wind +
Has fertility typeSelf fertile + and Insects +
Has flowers of typeHermaphrodite +
Has hardiness zone6 +
Has imageIllustration Cynoglossum officinale0.jpg +
Has lifecycle typeBiennial + and Perennial +
Has mature height0.8 +
Has mature width0.5 +
Has medicinal partUnknown part +
Has medicinal useAnalgesic +, Antihaemorrhoidal +, Antispasmodic +, Astringent +, Cancer +, Digestive +, Emollient + and Narcotic +
Has primary imageIllustration Cynoglossum officinale0.jpg +
Has search namecynoglossum officinale + and x +
Has shade toleranceNo shade +
Has soil ph preferenceNeutral + and Alkaline +
Has soil teloamyture preferenceLoamy +
Has soil tesandyture preferenceSandy +
Has soil water retention preferenceWell drained +
Has sun preferenceFull sun +
Has taxonomy nameCynoglossum officinale +
Has water requirementsmoderate +
Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
Tolerates windYes +
Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +