Borage below under Phytochemistry). "Borago officinalis" grows to a height of , and is bristly or hairy all over the stems and leaves; the leaves are alternate, simple, and long. The flowers are complete, perfect with five narrow, triangular-pointed petals. Flowers are most often blue, although pink flowers are sometimes observed. White flowered types are also cultivated. The blue flower is genetically dominant over the white flower. The flowers arise along scorpioid cymes to form large floral displays with multiple flowers blooming simultaneously, suggesting that borage has a high degree of geitonogamy (intra-plant pollination). It has an indeterminate growth habit which
Edible flower unopened buds of most species, can be distasteful, often bitter. The taste and color of nectar widely varies between different species of flower; consequently, honey may vary in color and taste depending of the species of flower. Many flowers can be eaten whole, but some have bitter parts, such as the stamens and stems. Some flowers are safe to eat only in small amounts. Apple flowers ("Malus" spp.) contain cyanide precursors, and Johnny jump-ups ("Viola tricolor") contain saponins. Borage ("Borago officinalis") and daylily ("Hemerocallis" spp.) flowers are diuretics, and sweet woodruff ("Galium odoratum") can have blood-thinning effects. The flowers of