What Is a Borage Plant?

Habitat

• Although the borage plant grows in the wild like a weed in Europe, it can be difficult to grow in cultivated gardens in the United States.

History

• Dating back to the Roman Empire, herbalists have used borage as a treatment for melancholia and to promote gladness and courage. The entomology of the name may be derived from the Celtic word, "burrach" which means "man of courage."

Physical Characteristics

• The plant has numerous white, prickly hairs covering the leaves and stems of the entire plant. "Burra" in Latin means a "flock of wool."

Flowers

• The plant blooms in the summer. Flowers are blue or purple and star-shaped, with a slight cucumber taste. While the flowers and seeds are edible and perfectly safe, the leaves and stems can cause liver damage if ingested.

Uses

• Today, borage flowers have a wide variety of uses including as a tea and as a decoration for salads. Better Homes and Gardens even recommends freezing the flowers in ice cubes to spruce up summer drinks.