# Borage (*Borago officinalis*) Borage is a beautiful flower with bright blue petals that look like little stars! It grows in gardens and can attract friendly bees and butterflies. - **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 7 - **Habitat:** Gardens - **Also known as:** Starflower ![Borage](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/00_2100_Borretsch_%28Borago_officinalis%29.jpg&width=800) Photo: W. Bulach, CC BY-SA 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:00_2100_Borretsch_%28Borago_officinalis%29.jpg) ## Appearance The Borage has hairy, bristly stems and leaves, giving it a fuzzy feel. Its vibrant blue, star-shaped flowers often hang downwards, sometimes appearing pink or white. These bright blooms, with black anthers in the center, make it visually distinctive. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Magnoliopsida - **Order:** Boraginales - **Family:** Boraginaceae - **Genus:** Borago ## Interesting facts - Ancient Roman warriors believed borage brought courage, so they drank wine infused with its leaves! - Borage flowers can actually change color from blue to pink as they grow older! - Borage seeds contain a special oil used to make medicines and skin care products! - Its fuzzy leaves feel just like velcro when you gently touch them! ## Special abilities - **Pollinator Magnet:** Borage produces abundant nectar, which helps it attract bees and other pollinators to spread its pollen. - **Thirsty Root:** Borage has a deep taproot that helps it find water and nutrients deep in the soil to grow strong. - **Fuzzy Shield:** The bristly hairs covering Borage leaves and stems help protect it from some hungry pests. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 60-100 cm - **Spread:** 30-60 cm - **Flower Size:** 1-2 cm - **Bloom Season:** Late spring to late summer - **Edible:** Yes - **Toxicity:** None - **Lifecycle:** Annual - **Pollination Method:** Insect ## Ecological connections - **Pollinates:** European honey bee (*Apis mellifera*) — Collects nectar and pollen. - **Pollinates:** Buff-tailed bumblebee (*Bombus terrestris*) — Visits flowers for nectar. - **Pollinates:** Painted lady butterfly (*Vanessa cardui*) — Feeds on flower nectar. ## Traits - [Flowering](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/flowering): Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle. - [Shrub](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/shrub): A shrub is a woody plant smaller than a tree, typically with multiple stems branching from or near the ground. - [Summer Blooming](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/summer-blooming): Summer blooming plants produce their flowers during the summer season, often providing vibrant color when many other plants have finished. - [Fragrant Flower](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fragrant-flower): Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense. - [Medicinal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/medicinal): Medicinal plants possess chemical compounds that can be used for therapeutic purposes to treat illnesses or maintain health. - [Edible](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/edible): Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. - [Keystone Species](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/keystone-species): Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment. - [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces. ## Collections - [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always check with an adult before picking or eating any flowers. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Borage? Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How tall is Borage? 60-100 cm ### How wide does Borage spread? 30-60 cm ### How big are the flowers on Borage? 1-2 cm ### When does Borage bloom? Late spring to late summer ### Is Borage edible? Yes ### Is Borage toxic? None ### What is Borage's lifecycle? Annual ## Where to spot - [City Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/city-park) — Colorado, US · Park - [Durso Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/durso-park) — Illinois, US · Park - [E. E. Wilson Wildlife Area](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/e-e-wilson-wildlife-area) — Oregon, US · Nature Reserve - [Shedd Aquarium](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/shedd-aquarium) — Illinois, US · Aquarium - [Shedd Aquarium](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/shedd-aquarium-illinois) — Illinois, US · Zoo - [Arcata Community Forest](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/arcata-community-forest) — California, US · Forest [View all places to see Borage](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/borage) ## More Plants - [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*) - [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*) - [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*) - [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*) --- Source: [Borage: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/borage)