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Borago officinalis

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Borago officinalis L.

Family Name: Boraginaceae
Common Name: Borage, Starflower, 琉璃苣

Name

Family Name
Genus Epithet
Species Epithet
Name Authority
Name Status (botanical)
Common Names
Comments

Classifications and Characteristics

Plant Division Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon)
Plant Growth Form Herbaceous Plant
Lifespan (in Singapore) Annual
Maximum Height 0.3 m to 0.9 m

Biogeography

Native Distribution Europe
Native Habitat Terrestrial
Preferred Climate Zone Sub-Tropical / Monsoonal, Temperate

Description and Ethnobotany

Growth Form Herbaceous plant up to 0.9 m tall. 
Foliage The alternate leaves are hairy and oval with wavy leaf margins.
Stems The branched stem is coarse with white hairs.
Flowers Flowers are borne in reddish stems. Each flower has five pinkish-red sepals and five blue petals. The sepals are star-shaped and covered with white hairs.
Ethnobotanical Uses Edible Plant Parts : Edible Leaves, Edible Flowers, Edible Seeds
Food (Fruit or Vegetable): Leaves can be consumed raw as salads or cooked. They are also used to make drinks. Flowers are also edible, but more often, they are used as decorative garnish on dishes or drinks.

Landscaping Features

Desirable Plant Features Ornamental Flowers
Landscape Uses Parks & Gardens, Small Gardens, Flowerbed / Border, Container Planting

Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal

Pollination Method(s) Biotic (Fauna) (Insects (Bee))

Plant Care and Propagation

Light Preference Full Sun, Semi-Shade
Water Preference Moderate Water
Rootzone Tolerance Well-Drained Soils
Propagation Method Seed

Foliar

Mature Foliage Colour(s) Green
Mature Foliage Texture(s) Hairy / Hirsute

Floral (Angiosperm)

Flower Colour(s) Blue

Fruit, Seed and Spore

Mature Seed Colour(s) Brown

Image Repository

Images

Others

Master ID 32599
Species ID 7011
Flora Disclaimer The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes.
Species record last updated on: 20 July 2022.
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