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Hound's-tongue Borage/Forget-me-not family
Cynoglossum officinale Boraginaceae

Hound's-tongue is a hairy biennial with red and purple flowers. The resulting nutlets are covered with hooked hairs which stick to clothing and animal fur, thue facilitating seed dispersal.
The plant smells strongly of mouse urine, which deters animals from eating it.

Hound's-tongue plants Hound's-tongue flowers



Hound's-tongue seeds Hound's-tongue ripe seeds
Early nutlets, with hooked spines Nutlets in winter



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