Borago officinalis

Primary tabs

Borago officinalis

Description

Annual, hispid herbs. Leaves alternate, crowded in lower part of stem rosetta-like, lower leaves stalked, petiole 2-8 cm long, upper leaves sessile; blade 3-10 by 2-5(-8) cm, oblong or elliptic, margin entire or sinuate-wavy, obtuse, bristly hairy, nerves especially distinct on lower side, forming a dense network between primary nerves. Inflorescence subcorymbose-paniculoid, with few small, lanceolate leaves near base, composed of scorpioid, leafless cymes; pedicels 0.5-2 cm long, patent or recurved. Stamens: filaments strongly widening towards base, shorter than anthers, with a spurlike appendix, anthers with an acute apex, 7 mm long, dark violet.

Distribution

Africa, Asia present, Asia-Tropical: Jawa (Jawa present), Europe present
Of Mediterranean origin, now widely cultivated and sometimes naturalized in Europe, Asia, and northern Africa; Malesia: Java, cultivated in mountain regions.

Citation

Backer & Bakh.f. 1965 – In: FL Java: 464