Dioscorides’ Houndstongue
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(Cynoglossum dioscoridis)
Dioscorides’ Houndstongue (Cynoglossum dioscoridis)
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© Mehdi Chetibi
CC BY 4.0
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© Mehdi Chetibi
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Copyright:
CC BY 4.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: © Mehdi Chetibi | License Type: CC BY 4.0 | License URL: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ | Uploader: mehdichetibi | Publisher: iNaturalist |
Summary
Cynoglossum dioscoridis, commonly known as Dioscorides’ Houndstongue, is a biennial herb that is native to the Mediterranean Region, but more specifically to rocky and stony places within open woodlands, scrublands, grasslands, and along roadsides. It typically grows to a height of 1.5-2 feet (0.46-0.6 meters) and is known for its lance-shaped leaves and inflorescences of small, tubular blue flowers that bloom in the summer and are moderately showy. The plant’s rough-textured leaves give it the common name "houndstongue".
Dioscorides’ Houndstongue is appreciated for its striking blue flowers and its ability to thrive in poor soils, making it a suitable choice for rock gardens, wildflower meadows, and naturalized areas. In cultivation, it prefers full sun to part shade and can adapt to a range of soil types, including clay, loam, or sandy soils, provided they have medium to fast drainage. While it is not a high-maintenance plant, it can self-seed prolifically under favorable conditions, which gardeners should manage to prevent unwanted spread.CC BY-SA 4.0
Dioscorides’ Houndstongue is appreciated for its striking blue flowers and its ability to thrive in poor soils, making it a suitable choice for rock gardens, wildflower meadows, and naturalized areas. In cultivation, it prefers full sun to part shade and can adapt to a range of soil types, including clay, loam, or sandy soils, provided they have medium to fast drainage. While it is not a high-maintenance plant, it can self-seed prolifically under favorable conditions, which gardeners should manage to prevent unwanted spread.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Herb
- Height: 1.5-2 feet
- Width: 0.5-1 feet
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Flower Color: Blue
- Flowering Season: Summer
- Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
- Drainage: Medium, Fast
Common Uses
Low Maintenance, Rock Garden
Natural Habitat
Rocky and stony places within open woodlands, scrublands, grasslands, and along roadsides
Other Names
Common Names:
Scientific Names: Cynoglossum dioscoridis, Cynoglossum elongatum, Cynoglossum loreyi, Cynoglossum loreyi, Cynoglossum moenchii, Cynoglossum moenchii, Cynoglossum officinale, Cynoglossum pictum var. loreyi, Cynoglossum remotum
GBIF Accepted Name: Cynoglossum dioscoridis