Cynoglossum officinale

Common Hound's Tongue ( Cynoglossum officinale)

The Common Hound's Tongue ( Cynoglossum officinale L.) is a common plant in Germany from the kind of dog tongue ( Cynoglossum ).

Description

The Common Dog tongue is a biennial herbaceous plant that reaches the stature heights of up to 80 cm. The strong stems with a diameter of up to 1 cm, angular, loose shaggy hairy and leafy tight. The plant has a smell of mice. The basal leaves are clustered basal rosettes. The stem leaves are sessile, amplexicaul, both sides pressed hairy, gray-green and rough, the upper lanceolate are hairy and downy.

In first capitate, later sparrig lengthening, paniculate arranged Wrap sit many flowers. The only dark purple, then brown, red flowers are homo game, funnel-shaped " handle plate flowers". The rather long Blütenkronröhre is closed by bright red hollow scales ( scales throat ), so the only nectar bees and butterflies is accessible. Last spontaneous self-pollination is possible. Bloom time is from May to July.

The four fused with the Mittelsäulchen part fruits ( Klausen) are outside widerhakig - prickly and are widely used as Velcro Hafter, eg by rabbits. The flattened ovoid nutlets are densely covered with barbs.

Locations

The Ordinary dog tongue grows scattered, but locally common weed in sunny meadows, on dumps, roadsides, and Tierbauen in intensively managed pastures. It prefers rather dry, nutrient-rich soil in a sunny location. After Ellenberg it is a light plant, intermediate - continental spread, a weak base and nitrogen pointer and a Verbandscharakterart requiring heat thistle companies ( Onopordion acanthii ).

Ecology

The Common Dog tongue is a biennial ( to perennial ) Half rosette plant.

The flowers are homo game, funnel-shaped " handle plate flowers". The rather long corolla tube is closed by pharyngeal scales, hence the nectar is only available to bees and butterflies. Last done spontaneous self-pollination. Bloom time is from May to July.

The 4 fused with the fruit as part Mittelsäulchen Klausen are widerhakig - prickly and are widely used as Klebhafter, eg by rabbits. The process is reminiscent of modern Velcro fasteners. The plant is a stayer and winter darkness to germinate, which is partly caused by adherent and then is sponsored by covering the earth. At the same time here the spines is also resistant to the spread. Fruit ripening from July to October.

Toxicity

The whole plant is poisonous, poisoning risk but only in animals.

Active ingredients are 1,2- unsaturated corresponding pyrrolizidine in the dried herb or in the dried roots of up to 14 g / kg 14 700 ppm. are represented. In the fresh herb 1.72% total alkaloids contained 62% Heliosupin. In the roots according to older data also Cynoglossin, Consolidin and its gap bases Consolicin and Cynoglossidin.

Poisoning: poisoning in humans are unlikely. According to older data Cynoglossin acts in the frog paralyzing effect on the peripheral nerves, while Consolidin and Consolicin have a paralyzing effect on the central nervous system. Warm-blooded animals are not as sensitive. The poisonous effect of leaves on smaller rodents is controversial. In cattle to great thirst and movement disorders of the hind legs show.

Because of their toxicity is now discouraged by the use of this plant as a medicinal plant.