HOUND'S-TONGUE.
Cynoglossum grande, Dougl. Borage Family.
Stem.—Two feet or so high. Leaves.—Alternate; long-petioled; ovate-oblong; pointed; usually rounded at base; often a foot long. Flowers.—Bright blue; in a terminal panicle. Calyx.—Deeply five-cleft. Corolla.—Rotate; with short tube and five-lobed border; having five beadlike crests in the throat. Stamens.—Five; on the corolla, alternate with its lobes. Ovary.—Four-lobed. Style undivided. Fruit.—Four prickly nutlets. Hab.—From Marin County to Washington.
Among the first plants to respond to the quickening influence of the early winter rains, is the hound's-tongue, whose large, pointed leaves begin to push their way aboveground usually in January. At first these are often quite velvety beneath and of a pinkish hue, and hold hidden within their midst the well-formed buds which a few warm, sunny days will call forth. The flowers, at first pink, become bright blue after fertilization has taken place.
The favorite haunts of this welcome blossom are half-shaded woods, where it rears its tall stalk in almost sole possession at this early season.
The common name is a translation of the generic name, which is derived from two Greek words, signifying dog and tongue, bestowed because of the shape of the leaves. In the olden times a superstition was rife that if a person laid the hound's-tongue beneath his feet it would prevent dogs from barking at him.
The distribution of the seed is most cunningly provided for, as the upper surfaces of the nutlets are covered with tiny barbs, which a magnifying-glass reveals to be quite perfect little anchors, admirably adapted for catching in the hair of animals.