2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38
Canine tongue (lat. Cynoglossum) - a genus of plants with oblong and rough leaves from the Borage family (Latin Boraginaceae). It would be more reasonable to call the genus "Dog language", as it is literally translated from Latin, but, apparently, the word "Dog" sounds more intriguing. In Russia, the plant is known under the name"
Blackroot ».
What's in your name
The Latin name of the genus "Cynoglossum" is based on two Greek words, which in translation mean "dog" and "language". That is, if translated literally, then the Russian version should have sounded like "Dog's language". But the original source of the Russian version softened the name somewhat, replacing the word "dog" with the word "dog", which sounds more euphonious, although it is somewhat more difficult to pronounce.
Such, in general, not a flattering name for plants, the genus has earned with its leaves. Their length, oblong shape and rough surface remind people of a dog's tongue.
But in simple speech, people do not so often use the official Latin names of plants, coming up with numerous folk names. The Russian variant of the genus name is "Chernokoren", since the taproot of some plant species of the genus, which has healing powers, is covered with a black crust.
The folk art does not end there, and therefore other names can be heard: dog root, cat soap, mouse spirit …
As for the English-language names, no matter how the plants are called: the tongue of the hound, the wild comfrey, the Chinese forget-me-not …
Description
Typically, a plant of the genus "Cynoglossum" is an upright, unbranched perennial with simple, whole leaves (although there are other variants).
A characteristic feature is the roughness of the stems and leaves of the plant, caused by their thin-hairy cover. Roughness is felt when you touch the plant. In the lower part of the stem, the leaves are densely located, but as they approach the top of the plant, they become less and less.
Small 5-petal flowers form inflorescences.
Plants of the genus contain alkaloids that can irritate delicate human skin. Therefore, when working with a plant, for example, when planting or transplanting, collecting raw materials or roots for medicinal purposes, you should be careful and use protective equipment (rubber gloves).
Some plant species of the genus Cynoglossum
* Nice black root (lat. Cynoglossum amabile)
* Blackroot medicinal (lat. Cynoglossum officinale)
* The language of the Australian hound (lat. Cynoglossum australe)
* Virginian black root (lat. Cynoglossum virginianum), known in America as Wild comfrey
* Western Hound Tongue (Latin Cynoglossum Occidentale)
* The language of the German hound (lat. Cynoglossum germanicum)
* Black root changeable (lat. Cynoglossum rotatum).
Usage
Pleasant black root is used as an ornamental plant in flower beds. It has relatively large oval-elongated leaves with a sharp end and small bright blue flowers, similar to those of Forget-me-nots. The erect stem is small in stature, and the whole bush is very compact and elegant.
Blackroot officinalis contains in all its parts a number of alkaloids. It is they who determine the healing abilities of the plant, which should be used with great care, observing the dosages recommended by specialists. Otherwise, you may get additional health problems instead of treatment.
Traditional healers use the leaves and roots of the plant in their activities. Lotions help to quickly heal burns on the skin, get rid of boils.
Blackroot medicinal is used in cases when it is required to relieve pain, soften dry cough, relieve muscle cramps.
The sap and roots are able to scare off all kinds of rodents who love to feast on the fruits of human gardening.
