Hound’s Tongue blooming in the Wasatch Mountains – Nikon D500, f10, 1/1600, ISO 640, -0.7 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
Hound’s Tongue is considered a noxious weed in Utah. Although it is labeled a noxious weed I think blooming Hound’s Tongue is pretty. I photographed this flowering Hound’s Tongue high in the Wasatch Mountains last week while I was up there looking for birds.
Hound’s Tongue (Cynoglossum officinale) is an introduced herbaceous plant that is part of the Borage (Boraginaceae) family. It is originally from Europe and it has naturalized in many areas of North America. Other names for this wildflower include Houndstongue, Hounds-tongue, Dog’s Tongue, Gypsy Flower, Gypsyflower, Beggars-lice, Dogbur, and Woolmat.
Flowering Hound’s Tongue – Nikon D500, f10, 1/2500, ISO 640, -0.7 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
Me? I like the dusky rose-pink and purple colors of the flowers, the fuzzy leaves and stems and the fiddlehead arrangement of the flowers at this time of the year. I’ve read that the plant doesn’t smell too good but I’ve never been close enough to it to know. I do know that it is toxic to livestock.
This flowering plant is just one of many nonnative wildflowers that I find while I am out in the field looking for birds to photograph.
Life is good.
Mia
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DESCRIPTION: Hound’s Tongue is a 1 to 4 foot tall biennial. Basal leaves are about 3 inches wide with a hairy surface. Upper leaves are narrower, about 1 inch wide and have a curled appearance and partially clasp the stem. Small reddish purple flowers form in the upper portions of the plant along stems borne in leaf axils. Each flower produces four green, bur-like fruits that turn brown as they mature. Bloom is in early summer.
They are pretty but, here at least, toxic weeds often are.
I saw a lot along the Snake River in Idaho. I did not know it was toxic to livestock. I have tried smelling it and didn’t notice any odor other than a dusty smell. I will try smelling it again next time I see it.
Good morning Mia. I too like the colors of the Hounds Tongue. I did not know that it was the plant that had the Beggars-lice stickers on it. I always wondered what plant they came from. The snow is melting in the Big Horn Mountains so our Wild flowers are starting to bloom. Thanks for the pictures and keep up the nice work, and take time to smell the flowers!
You show us the beauty in everything, Mia. Thanks!