Knowra Borage Borage Borage (Borago officinalis) is an annual herb native to the Mediterranean region, grown for its edible leaves and distinctive blue, star-shaped flowers.
Borago officinalis : The botanical species commonly called borage, with edible leaves and blue, star-shaped flowers. This is borage's scientific name and the species covered by this page.
Edible flower : A flower used whole or in parts as a food ingredient or garnish. Borage flowers are used fresh to decorate drinks, salads, and desserts.
Mediterranean Basin : The lands surrounding the Mediterranean Sea and the sea's connected ecological region. Borage is native to this region's climate and flora.
White borage : A form of Borago officinalis with white rather than blue flowers. It is a familiar color variation of the species' otherwise characteristic blooms.
Boraginaceae : A family of flowering plants that includes borage, comfrey, and forget-me-nots. Borage belongs to this family, whose flowers often have coiled clusters.
Culinary herb : A plant whose leaves, flowers, seeds, or other parts are used to flavor food. Borage leaves and flowers have been used in cooking for their cucumber-like flavor.
Dioscorides : A Greek physician and pharmacologist whose first-century work described medicinal plants. His writings are among the ancient sources associated with borage's traditional uses.
Comfrey : A group of hairy-leaved plants in the genus Symphytum, traditionally used as herbs. Comfrey is a familiar Boraginaceae relative, but it is not borage and has different uses.
Annual plant : A plant that completes its life cycle, from germination to seed production, within one growing season. Borage typically grows, flowers, sets seed, and dies within a season.
Borage seed oil : A plant oil pressed from borage seeds and valued for its gamma-linolenic acid content. This commercial product comes from borage seeds, not its edible leaves or flowers.
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