Houndstongue (Cynoglossum officinale)
Cynoglossum officinale (houndstongue, beggar’s ticks)
Background
- Introduced from Europe in crop seed
- Biennial or short-lived perennial
- Found in grasslands and forested areas
- Disperses well with hooked seed
- Toxic to livestock, attacks liver and also causes photsensitization
Description
- Leaves form basal rosette with hairy leaves in first year
- After first year, stem forms with alternate, lance shaped leaves that are hairy and rough
- Flowers in upper leaf axils
- Petals reddish-purple
- Fruits: 4 nutlets, hooked
