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Borage
Borago officinalis · Boraginaceae
How it looks
Borage is a plant with large oval leaves densely covered in coarse hairs and star-shaped blue flowers that hang downward. The leaves and stems bear coarse hairs and feel rough to the touch. It reaches 12-31 in (30-80 cm) tall and is common in gardens.
Borage is listed as non-toxic to cats by the ASPCA. An occasional nibble is unlikely to cause any real trouble.
Guide for parents
An occasional nibble on Borage rarely leads to serious trouble, but its pyrrolizidine alkaloids can irritate the stomach and mucous membranes, causing mild gastrointestinal upset. Make a habit of clearing away fallen leaves and broken stems the same day, and keep the pot somewhere your cat can't reach. If symptoms last more than 12 hours or your cat shows a marked loss of appetite, consult your vet.
Details
- Scientific name
- Borago officinalis
- Common name
- Borage
- Family
- Boraginaceae
- Source
- ASPCA
Related plants
Other safe flowers
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