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Summary
Physical Characteristics
Cynoglossum officinale is a BIENNIAL/PERENNIAL growing to 0.8 m (2ft 7in) by 0.5 m (1ft 8in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6. It is in flower from June to August, and the seeds ripen from August to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. The plant is self-fertile.
It is noted for attracting wildlife.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil. The plant can tolerates strong winds but not maritime exposure.
UK Hardiness Map
US Hardiness Map
Synonyms
Habitats
Woodland Garden Sunny Edge;
Edible Uses
Edible Parts: Leaves
Edible Uses:
Young leaves - raw or cooked[46, 61, 105, 177, 183]. A disagreeable odour and taste[212]. Caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity.
References More on Edible Uses
Medicinal Uses
Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Analgesic Antidiarrhoeal Antihaemorrhoidal Antispasmodic Astringent Cancer Digestive Emollient
Narcotic
Hound's tongue has a long history of use as a medicinal herb, though it is rarely used in modern herbalism[7, 268]. 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[7] and the plant is potentially carcinogenic[222] (though it has also been used in the treatment of cancer[218]). The leaves and roots are analgesic, antihaemorrhoidal, antispasmodic, astringent, digestive, emollient and slightly narcotic[4, 7, 9, 21, 46, 222]. The plant contains the alkaloids cynoglossine and consolidin, which are used medicinally to relieve pain[212]. They depress the central nervous system and are also potentially carcinogenic[222]. 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[222, 238]. The root is harvested at the end of spring of the plants second year[7]. Another report says that it is best harvested in the autumn and dried for later use[238]. The leaves and flowering shoots are harvested as the plant comes into flower and are dried for later use[238]. The plant has a wide antitumour reputation for cancers of various types[218]. A homeopathic remedy is made from the roots[7]. It is very effective in the treatment of insomnia[7].
References More on Medicinal Uses
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Other Uses
Leaves of C. officinale have been used as a mole repellent in gardens and for protection of stored vegetables and fruits from rodents [1d].
Special Uses
Attracts Wildlife Scented Plants
References More on Other Uses
Cultivation details
Prefers sandy, gravelly and basic soils[17]. Grows well in an ordinary well-drained soil[1]. Succeeds in full sun or partial shade[238]. The flowers are an absolute magnet for bees[K]. The plant smells of mice[17].
References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information
Temperature Converter
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Propagation
Seed - sow in situ in early summer. The seed can be sown in spring or autumn, a period of cold stratification improves germination.
Other Names
If available other names are mentioned here
Begger's lice; common bur; common houndstongue; dog burr; dog's tongue; glovewort; houndstongue; woolmat. Spanish: lengua de perro comun. French: cynoglosse officinale; herbe d'antal; langue de chien; langue-de-chien. Germany: Echte Hundszunge; Gemeine Hundszunge. Italy: cinoglossa. Netherlands: hondstong. Sweden: hundtunga.
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Found In
Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available
A weed of temperate regions. It is found in rangelands, pastures, roadsides and waste places, and abandoned croplands. Reported in eastern North America on gravelly, somewhat limey soils, in the UK in sandy areas and in old dune-grassland with dry sandy soils, in the Netherlands on calcareous costal dunes, with high soil nitrogen and in eastern Canada on rocky pastures in limestone regions. In British Columbia, Canada, it occurs on disturbed sites of the interior Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) and ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa)-bunchgrass biogeoclimatic zones. Albania, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia (Republic of), Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, UK, Ukraine, USA: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming.
Weed Potential
Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section.
Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.
This plant can be weedy or invasive. A highly invasive weed now present throughout much of North America. Its presence reduces the availability of forage grasses and it is poisonous to livestock if ingested [1d].
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status : This taxon has not yet been assessed.
Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.
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Botanical References
17200
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