Domestic Encyclopædia (1802)/Borage

BORAGE, the Common, or Borago officinalis, L. a native plant, frequently found growing in waste lands, and upon old walls; it is rough, and clothed with small prickly hairs; has alternate leaves, and bears blue spreading flowers in June and July. See With. 230, and Engl. Bot. 36.

The flowers of the borage are much frequented by bees, and the plant itself may be used as a culinary vegetable, or as an ingredient in lettuce-salad, to which it imparts an agreeable flavour. The whole of this plant abounds with nitrous particles, which may be easily obtained by elixation; for after evaporating the lixivium to a proper consistence, and allowing it to stand in a cool place, crystals will be formed, which deflagrate upon the fire, and possess all the properties of salt-petre.