Herb. No. 110 · Boraginaceae
Mediterranean annual, a bee plant and a self-sower in temperate gardens.
Native · Mediterranean
Native Also grownNow a garden plant worldwide
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Borage
Borago officinalis
Medicinal herbsKitchenHarvestCompanionsLookalikes
Cucumber-leaf and a blue star flower — a kitchen curiosity with a liver caveat if you make a habit of it.
Borage is a bristly Mediterranean annual whose flowers taste of cucumber and whose young leaves have a long salad record. The plant also carries pyrrolizidine alkaloids, so this plate is a garnish and a bee plant, not a daily tea. Starflower oil (from the seed) is a different, more refined product. Bees adore it.
Flavor
Cucumber, oyster, a little salt. The flower is milder than the leaf.
Parts used
Flower · Young leaf (sparingly)
Helpful
- Easy, self-sows
- Edible blue stars
- Bees
Cautions
- Bristles
- Not a daily internal herb
- PA alkaloids with chronic use