Houndstongue

Description

Known as common hound’s-tongue, houndstooth, dog’s tongue, gypsy flower, and rats and mice due to its smell. A herbaceous plant commonly found on sand dunes, waste land and hedges. It is noxious weed, toxic to cows and is especially dangerous to pasture owners. In 1725, houndstooth was presented in the family dictionary, Dictionaire oeconomique, as part of a cure for madness.

A hairy plant, the lanceolate leaves form a basal rosette with pink, purple, and burgundy flowers. Growing to around 3-4 feet tall.