Lanceleaf forget-me-not, Hound's tongue
Cynoglossum lanceolatum

Family: Boraginaceae

What it is like

A herb. It grows 1.8 m high. It has annual stems. These are bristly. The leaves are 8-15 cm long by 2-4 cm wide. The flowers occur all along the branches. They are 4 mm across. They are white or blue. The fruit is made up of 4 nutlets. These are covered with sticky hairs. There are 2 subspecies.

Where it is found

It is a subtropical plant. It grows in mountain grassland and on river banks. It grows from 1,000-3,000 m altitude. In Sichuan and Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Arabia, Asia, Cambodia, Cameroon, Central Africa, China, Congo, East Africa, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Kenya, Laos, Liberia, Malawi, Middle East, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, Nigeria, Northeastern India, Pakistan, Philippines, SE Asia, Southern Africa, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, West Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The leaves are added to soup. They are also boiled and then used in other dishes. The roots are chewed as a mouth freshener.

Edible parts

Leaves, vegetable

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Chicata-mbuzi, Jezgai, Kuro, Sancharik

Synonyms

Cynoglossum geometricum Baker & Wright; Cynoglossum micranthum Desf.; Paracynoglossum lanceolatum (Forssk.) Mill. ex Mill. & Miller;