Hounds tongue
(Cynoglossum officinale)
An herbaceous biennial that can grow to be 1-4’ tall on a single stem that branches above.
Overview
Other names for this plant include:- Common names: common hound's tongue, gypsy flower, dog's tongue
- Scientific names: Cynoglossum officinale L.f. bicolor
- Invades pastures, roadsides, grasslands, riparian areas and meadows.
- Alkaloids present in the plant decrease in toxicity as it matures, yet it can still be toxic to horses and cattle.
Classification in Wisconsin: Restricted
Species Assessment Groups (SAG) were assembled to recommend a legal classification for each species considered for NR 40. The recommendation for hounds tongue was based upon this literature review [PDF] developed by the department.
Identification
Leaves: Elliptical, alternate leaves are dark green and slightly hairy. In the rosette stage, leaves are 6-8” long; in the second year, basal leaves are up to 12” long and reduce in size as they progress up the stem.
Flowers: Arranged in panicles in the upper leaf axils, red-purplish flowers bloom from June-July. They are up to 0.3” wide, have 5 petals and are saucer to funnel-shaped.
Fruits & seeds: Each flower produces 4 nutlets, or small nuts, that are covered in barbs. Nutlets that remain on the plant are viable for 2-3 years.
Roots: Large, woody taproot.
Control
Mechanical: Mow second-year plants while in the flowering stage before seed production. Use a sharp shovel to cut 1-2” below the soil surface.
Chemical: Foliar spray rosettes in spring using 2% solutions of picloram, dicamba, or metsulfuron.
Photos
View hounds tongue pictures in our photo gallery!
Resources
Sources for content:- University of Washington - The Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture.
- Cynoglossum officinale [exit DNR]. Klinkenberg, Brian. (Editor) 2009. E-Flora BC: Electronic Atlas of the Plants of British Columbia [eflora.bc.ca]. Lab for Advanced Spatial Analysis, Department of Geography, University of British Columbia, Vancouver. [Accessed: 8/21/2009 10:15:40 AM].