Is This a Weed or Herb?

15 years ago

What is this weed? Does it have any herbal benefits?

When it first came up, it looked like a cucumber or canteloupe so I let it grow. It definitely isn't one of those. I live in South Dakota.

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Comments (4)

ollierose
15 years ago
Could it be a native foxglove? Mine look a lot like that.
flora_uk
15 years ago
Looks like borage to me. Yes it has herbal uses - best known here as a traditional addition to Pimms.

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:292836}}
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ltcollins1949
15 years ago
It looks like borage to me too. Does it have hairy leaves and stems? And does it have a cucumber taste? If so, it probably is the annual herb borage. Once you plant it, it keeps coming back every year and is a favorite herb for bees.

Here is some information on borage:

Hardy Annual
Height: 18" - 36" tall
Root: Fibrous, shallow
Stem: Hairy, hollow, succulent, branching
Leaf: Oval, pointed, alternate, roughly, hairy, 4" long and 1-1/2" wide
Flower: Five intensely blue star shaped petals, prominent purple stamen column, flower to 1" wide in drooping clusters. Blooms April through October
Seed: Black

And some uses for it:

In the kitchen, tender young leaves and stems are chopped and added to green salads, spreads, and fruit and wine drinks, imparting a cool cucumber flavor. Scrape long hairs from large stems and chop before adding to salads or steeping in beverages.

Floating borage flowers in punch bowls and summer drinks is a tradition, and they are especially striking frozen in ice cubes. For an unusual, striking cake decoration, dip borage flowers in egg white, coat with sugar and dry.
mrs8miranda
Original Author
15 years ago
Oh yes, that's what it is....borage! Now I remember last year I had a borage plant....forgot what the leaves looked like.

Thanks for your help! I love the idea of using the flowers for decoration...they really are unusual. I wonder if they stay nice if you dry them to use as decoration later. Anyone ever try it?