Borago Borago Borago, or borage, is a genus of five species of herbs native to the Mediterranean, with one species, "Borago officinalis" cultivated and naturalized throughout the world. "Borago officinalis" is used medicinally, in companion planting, in cooking and as an oilseed. Cooked stalks are sometimes eaten as a vegetable. The large, hairy leaves taste mildly of cucumber, and star-shaped purple-blue flower are prized for their flavour. The leaves are often added to teas and salads, and the flowers have been added to wine (Borage has had a reputation to give one courage since Roman times). The flowers are highly attractive
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