This is another of our articles in the series that takes a look at plant families. This time it is the Borage family, botanically termed Boraginaceae.

Boraginaceae includes some 150 or more genera and over 2 500 species of plants, including trees, shrubs and herbs. Whilst many of the plants that belong to this interesting family are not found locally, there are a number of garden plants that we do have access to, along with some that are indigenous to our part of the world. Characterised by having unicellular, bristly hairs on their leaves, stems and inflorescences, most of the Borage family also have flowers with a calyx comprising of five distinct (called connate) sepals. That’s enough of the botanical jargon for now though, let us move on and take a closer look at some of the members; perhaps those we are about to examine include some you already cherish in your own garden.

Indigenous plants
Given that the Borage family is well represented amongst South Africa’s floral heritage, and because the gardening fraternity is very interested in our indigenous flora, let us start with three of the home grown members.
ANCHUSA capensis (Cape forget-me-not) bears lovely blue flowers on upright stems
in late spring. It is a biennial that flowers in its second spring season and thereafter it dies, however, as it self-seeds readily, it leaves behind plenty of seedlings to continue making a show in the garden.
EHRETIA rigida (Puzzle bush) is commonly found growing in most parts of Southern Africa except in the Western Cape.
These shrubs or small trees are easily recognised by their tangled masses of thin, whippy, cascading branches. Scented flowers in shades of lavender, pale blue or white are produced in clusters on side shoots all along the branches during late winter and early spring. The puzzle bush attracts birds and insects to the garden.
CORDIA caffra (Septee tree) is a neat and attractive deciduous tree with small cream or white, scented flowers in spring. The flowers are followed by rounded, orange fruit in summer that is enjoyed by birds.

Two useful herbs
Borage and comfrey, the well-known garden herbs, belong to this family.
BORAGO officinalis (Borage or Tailwort) is a robust and sturdy annual that produces masses of attractive, sky-blue flowers during summer and autumn. The foliage of this plant has been used in herbal medicines for centuries, and the flowers are often added
to salads, or frozen in ice cubes to be used
to enhance cool drinks and cocktails.
SYMPHYTUM officinale (Comfrey) is a vigorous growing perennial that forms clumps of dark green, hairy foliage. Pink to purple flowers are produced on tall stems during spring and summer. Although the hairy foliage can be a skin irritant, comfrey is used extensively in herbal remedies and cosmetics.

Tropical trees
Many tropical and sub-tropical trees belong to this extensive family. These two members really stand out because they are so different, but they are rather scarce in local gardens.
CORDIA sebestena (Geiger tree), which is common in the tropics, must rank as one of the most spectacular of the flowering trees. A beautiful little evergreen tree, its bright, orange-red, funnel-shaped flowers are borne in clusters. CORDIA boissieri is similar, but with white flowers.
TOURNEFORTIA argentea (Tree heliotrope), which is also known as MESSERSCHMIDIA argentea, originates from tropical islands in the Pacific and Indian Oceans and is found growing right on the sand dunes. This unusual tree is characterised by very distinctive, silvery-grey foliage and white, heliotrope-like flowers.

Pretty garden flowers
The Borage family is blessed with many different garden flowers that have become popular ornamentals through the ages. Some are well known and much loved; others are less well known but still worthy of a prominent spot in suburban landscapes.
ECHIUM candicans (Pride of Madeira) is a quick growing, shrubby biennial that has hairy, greyish leaves with prominent veins. In spring and summer the plants are covered in stately flower spikes up to 30 cm tall. The flowers are usually blue or purple, although white forms are sometimes seen in gardens. Pride of Madeira prefers dry, arid soil conditions and has a relatively short lifespan. E. candicans was formerly known as E. fastuosum.
ECHIUM wildpretii (Tower of jewels or Red bugloss), a tall and elegant biennial, is an amazing sight to behold. In its second year it produces an enormous flower spike, in excess of two metres tall, that consists of masses of small, rose-red flowers. Each plant flowers only once and then, after the seeds have formed and matured, it dies off.
HELIOTROPIUM arborescens (Heliotrope or Cherry pie) is a compact and bushy little shrub that produces an abundance of sweetly-scented flowers for much of the year. There are many hybrids and cultivars, and their flower colours vary from white to deep purple along with various shades of mauve and lavender. H. arborescens ‘Hotstuff’, with its rich purple flowers, is the most popular amongst local gardeners.
MYOSOTIS alpestris and MYOSOTIS sylvaticus (Forget-me-not) are small annuals or perennials that are best known for their truly blue flowers, although white and pink hybrids are also popular. Forget-me-nots are sometimes overlooked because of the small size of their flowers, but they remain firm favourites in many cottage gardens.

And a weed too!
Of course, families often have their wayward members, and the Borage family is no different. ECHIUM plantagineum (Patterson’s curse) is a low-growing biennial that invades cultivated farmlands, pastures and road verges in the wetter parts of South Africa. Be aware of the blue flowers that proliferate in spring, summer and autumn, producing copious amounts of seeds.