Beebread (Borago officinalis, Sp. pl. 1:137. 1753)

Family: Boraginaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. pl. 1:137. 1753

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Borago

Vegetable: True

Observations: W. & C. Medit.

Description

Beebread, known scientifically as Borago officinalis, is a remarkable plant that belongs to the Boraginaceae family. It has a rich history dating back to its first description in 1753 by the renowned botanist Carl Linnaeus in his work “Species Plantarum.”

One of the most distinctive features of Beebread is its vibrant blue, star-shaped flowers, which can sometimes appear pink in the initial blooming stage. These striking blooms not only make the plant a visually appealing addition to gardens but also serve a critical ecological role. Beebread is highly favored by pollinators, especially bees, hence the common name. The flowers produce copious amounts of nectar, making them an excellent food source, which in turn supports the pollination process of surrounding plants.

Native to the Western and Central Mediterranean regions, Beebread has been widely cultivated and naturalized in various parts of the world, primarily due to its adaptability and the benefits it provides. In addition to its ecological contributions, Beebread has historical medicinal uses. Traditional medicine has long utilized the plant for its purported anti-inflammatory and diuretic properties, although modern pharmacological studies are still exploring its full potential.

The leaves of Beebread are also edible and have been used in culinary applications. They have a cucumber-like flavor, making them a refreshing addition to salads, teas, and other recipes. This multifaceted plant not only boosts biodiversity but also offers nutritional and health benefits to those who cultivate and consume it.

With its beautiful flowers, ecological importance, and historical medicinal and culinary uses, Beebread (Borago officinalis) continues to be a cherished plant both in gardens and in natural settings.

Common Names

Dan: almindelig hjulkrone, hjulkrone
Swe: armeniskt björnbär, borstbjörnbär, sammetsbjörnbär, smalbjörnbär, gurkört, rohtopurasruoho, stofferblomma
Eng: beebread, beeplant, borage, common borage, starflower, talewort, bee plant
Deu: boretsch, borretsch, echter borretsch, garten-boretsch, garten-borretsch, gurkenkraut, einjähriger borretsch
Spa: borraja
Tur: hodan
Lit: vaistinė agurklė
Nob: agurkurt
Nno: agurkurt
Por: boragem
Ita: boragine, borandella
Ces: borák lékařský, brutnák lékařský
Fra: bourrache, bourrache officinale
Est: harilik kurgirohi
Hun: kerti borágó
Fin: rohtopurasruoho
Nld: bernagie
Cym: bara gwenyn, blodau baill, bronwerth, didrist, glesyn cyffredin, llawenlys, tafod y fuwch, tafod yr ych
En: Beebread, Beeplant, Borage, Talewort, Starflower, Common borage, Cool-Tankard, Bee plant, Tailwort, Burrage, Bugloss
Af: Bernagie, Komkommerkruid
Ar: حمحم مخزني, لسان الثور, Hamham, Himhim, Lisaan ath-Thaur, Lisan al-Thaur, حمحم, حِمْحِم, لِسَان الثَوْر
Hy: Գաղտրիկ դեղատու
Az: Dərman göyzabanı
Eu: Borraja
Be: Агурочнік лекавы, Агурочнік
Bg: Пореч
Ca: Borratja, Borraina, Borratge
Zh: 琉璃苣
Cv: Хăяр курăкĕ
Kw: Taves ki
Co: Frìsgiula
Hr: Boražina
Cs: Brutnák lékařský, Borák lékařský
Da: Almindelig Hjulkrone, Hjulkrone
Nl: Bernagie, Borage
Et: Harilik kurgirohi
Fi: Rohtopurasruoho, Kurkkuyrtti, Purasruoho
Fr: Bourrache, Bourrache officinale
Gl: Borraxe
Ka: Კიტრისუნა
De: Einjähriger Borretsch, Gurkenkraut, Borretsch, Boretsch, Echter Borretsch, Garten-Boretsch, Garten-Borretsch
El: Μπουράντζο
Hi: बोरेज
Hu: Borágó, Kerti borágó
Io: Boracho
Ga: Borráiste gorm
It: Boragine, Borandella, Borragine, Borragine comune
Ko: 보리지
Lv: Gurķene
Lt: Vaistinė agurklė
Lb: Borretsch
Mk: Лисичинка
Ml: ബോറേജ്
No: Agurkurt
Nb: Agurkurt
Nn: Agurkurt
Os: Джитъригæрдæг
Fa: گاوزبان
Pl: Ogórecznik lekarski
Pt: Boragem, Borragem
Pt-br: Borragem
Qu: Qipuncha
Ro: Limba mielului
Ru: Огуречная трава
Sr: Борач
Sd: گاو زبان
Sk: Borák lekársky
Es: Borraja, Boraga, Borraja común, Borrega, Rabo de Alacrán
Sv: Gurkört, Armeniskt björnbär, Borstbjörnbär, Sammetsbjörnbär, Smalbjörnbär, Rohtopurasruoho, Stofferblomma
Zh-tw: 琉璃苣
Tt: Кыяр үләне
Th: โบราจ
Zh-hant: 琉璃苣
Tr: Hodan
Uk: Огірочник лікарський
Wa: Bourace d’ apoticåre
Cy: Tafod yr ych, Bara Gwenyn, Blodau Baill, Bronwerth, Didrist, Glesyn Cyffredin, Llawenlys, Tafod y Fuwch

Synonyms

• Borago officinalis var. alba (Gray)
• Borago officinalis var. lilacina (Alef.)
• Borago officinalis var. coerulea (Alef.)
• Borago aspera (Gilib.)
• Borago officinalis var. saxicola (Rouy)
• Borago officinalis var. variegata (Alef.)
• Borago advena (Gilib.)
• Borago officinalis var. stenopetala (Ducell. & Maire)
• Borago hortensis (L.)

Distribution

• Algeria (native)
• Baleares (native)
• Corse (native)
• France (native)
• Greece (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kriti (native)
• Libya (native)
• Morocco (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Sardegna (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• Spain (native)
• Tunisia (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Alaska (introduced)
• Alberta (introduced)
• Altay (introduced)
• Argentina Northeast (introduced)
• Argentina Northwest (introduced)
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• Austria (introduced)
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Additional Images

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Flower

Taken Apr 14, 2019 by Fejul Xeto (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 10, 2022 by T Thurston (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 29, 2019 by Jeroen (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 17, 2021 by Paul Schütte (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 6, 2017 by Lisa Gibb (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Nov 5, 2021 by cscoq (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 13, 2022 by Bigongiari Adriano (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 30, 2021 by cyril prudhomme (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 18, 2021 by salvatore (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 8, 2017 by David ZAOUCH (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Feb 19, 2021 by Theo Schoenmakers (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 3, 2021 by Pour Demos (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 5, 2021 by cscoq (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 9, 2021 by Pierre LEON (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 6, 2018 by Shiran B (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Jun 13, 2021 by Jacques Zuber (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 30, 2021 by Maryse M (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 2, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 2, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 2022 by huy HO (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Aug 3, 2021 by Pour Demos (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 9, 2021 by Pierre LEON (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 29, 2018 by Pep Secem (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 29, 2018 by Pep Secem (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 26, 2018 by Pep Secem (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Sep 23, 2020 by Kater Billa (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 18, 2022 by Else Nolden (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 10, 2021 by José Manuel Bustillos (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 5, 2021 by cscoq (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 3, 2021 by Pour Demos (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2926110)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:113618-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Borago officinalis L.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Forb/herb

Growth

Sowing: Direct seed outdoors, thin to 45cm apart when seedlings are 4cm tall

Row spacing: {‘cm’: 30}

Spread: {‘cm’: 50}

Ph maximum: 7.0

Ph minimum: 6.5

Light: 7

Atmospheric humidity: 4

Bloom months: [‘apr’, ‘may’, ‘jun’, ‘jul’, ‘aug’, ‘sep’]

Soil nutriments: 6