Hound's Tongue: poisonous

Cynoglossum officinale

☠ Poisonous. Do not eat.What to do if poisoning is suspected

Hound's Tongue is classed as poisonous in the Forage field guide. This page helps you identify it and tell it apart from similar species. It is not a foraging guide. When in doubt, have a find identified by an expert.

If you suspect poisoning, call your local poison control center right away. If someone has trouble breathing, has a seizure or is unconscious, call emergency services. Don't wait for symptoms: with some poisonings they only start hours later. Keep any leftovers of the find, they help identify it.

Usually seen from May to August in the northern hemisphere. Found in Disturbed ground, Grassland. Can be confused with similar species.

☠ Poisonous

Photo: (c) Douglas Goldman, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Douglas Goldman · iNaturalist

When Hound's Tongue appears

Typical window in the northern hemisphere. The southern hemisphere runs about six months offset.

Where it grows

Hound's Tongue is usually found in Disturbed ground, Grassland.

⚠ Look-alikes

Foxglove☠ deadly

Common comfrey☠ toxic

Common mullein

Look up Hound's Tongue in the app

In the Forage app, Hound's Tongue has a full field guide entry with more photos, key features and the species it can be confused with.

Hound's Tongue: common questions

Is Hound's Tongue poisonous?

Yes. Hound's Tongue is classed as poisonous in the Forage field guide. Do not eat it. If you suspect poisoning, call your local poison control center right away, or emergency services if it is life-threatening.

When does Hound's Tongue appear?

Hound's Tongue usually appears from May to August in temperate northern regions. The exact timing shifts with latitude, elevation and each year's weather.

Where does Hound's Tongue grow?

Hound's Tongue is usually found in Disturbed ground, Grassland.

What can Hound's Tongue be confused with?

Deadly look-alikes: Foxglove, Common comfrey, Common mullein. Only a confident identification tells them apart. When in doubt, have a find checked by an expert.

One note before you head out

Forage helps you discover and identify wild plants, but identification is never 100% certain. Many edible plants have toxic lookalikes. Never eat anything you find based only on what this app tells you. Always confirm with a field guide, an experienced forager or a local expert. The season score tells you where to look, too: it’s not a guarantee. Mind conservation law and property rights as well.

Species photos via Wikimedia Commons and iNaturalist · full credits