Cynoglossum officinale, commonly known as houndstongue, is a biennial herbaceous plant originally native to Europe and Asia but has been introduced to North America, where it is often considered a noxious weed. It is commonly found in dry, open areas such as fields, roadsides, and disturbed lands. It can reach a height of 1-4 feet (30-120 cm) and features coarse, greyish, hairy leaves that are thought to resemble a dog’s tongue. The reddish-purple flowers of houndstongue are small and bloom from May to September, forming a cluster that can be somewhat showy.

Houndstongue is not commonly cultivated due to its invasive nature and the fact that it contains alkaloids that can be toxic to livestock. However, it can be found in some wildflower mixes for dry, poor soils. In cultivation, it prefers full sun to partial shade and can tolerate a range of soil types, provided they are well-drained. It is drought-tolerant once established. Gardeners should be cautious as it can spread easily by seed and become a problem in natural areas.CC BY-SA 4.0