Definition

1. Noun:
   • A biennial shrub of Europe and western Asia: A plant with coarse, tongue-shaped leaves and dark reddish-purple flowers.
   • A perennial shrub of North America: A plant with similar coarse, tongue-shaped leaves and pale-blue to purple flowers.

Usage

• The term "hound's-tongue" is used specifically to refer to these particular plant species within the genus. It is a common name, not a scientific one.
• It is typically used in botanical, gardening, or naturalist contexts.

Examples

• Noun:
  • The field was dotted with the distinctive flowers of hound's-tongue.
  • Be careful; hound's-tongue can be an invasive weed in some pastures.

Advanced Usage

• The name "hound's-tongue" originates from the shape and rough texture of the plant's leaves, which were thought to resemble a dog's tongue.
• In historical herbalism, some species of hound's-tongue were used for various purposes, though many are now known to be toxic.

Variants and Related Words

• Cynoglossum officinale (n): The scientific name for the common European hound's-tongue.
• Cynoglossum virginianum (n): The scientific name for a North American species of hound's-tongue.

Synonyms

• Dog's tongue: A less common variant of the common name.
• Gypsy flower: A regional common name for some species.

Notes

• Important: Many plants in the genus contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which are toxic to livestock and can be harmful to humans if ingested. The burred seeds can also easily stick to animal fur and clothing.

Noun

1. biennial shrub of Europe and western Asia having coarse tongue-shaped leaves and dark reddish-purple flowers
2. perennial shrub of North America having coarse tongue-shaped leaves and pale-blue to purple flowers