Die einjährige, bis 60 cm hoch wachsende Pflanze ist borstig behaart und besitzt einen gurkenähnlichen Geschmack und Geruch. Die sternenförmigen Blüten sind himmelblau, selten weiß. Die wechselständigen Blätter werden bis zu 20 cm lang und 7 cm breit. Borage also known as "starflower" is an annual herb. It grows to a height of 60-100 cm, and is bristly or hairy all over the stems and leaves; the leaves are alternate, simple, and 5-15 cm long. The flowers are complete, perfect with five narrow, triangular-pointed petals. Flowers are most often blue in color, although pink flowers are sometime observed. White flowered types are also cultivated. The flowers arise along scorpiod cymes to form large floral displays with multiple flowers blooming simultaneously, suggesting that borage has a high degree of geitonogamy. Traditionally borage was cultivated for culinary and medicinal uses, although today commercial cultivation is mainly as an oilseed.
