Cucumber Herb ...

Today I tried to get back the routine which is the key to normal life. The day was fantastic. Bright sun and good temperatures (although at the moment the temperature is rather low, clear sky, twinkling stars and it is November ... ).

The garden has its usual November looks. But still there's a blooming plant: Borage or Cucumber herb. I found some information on the internet which I found rather interesting so I tried more or less to translate it into English.

Borage is a hardy, perennial plant that often is used as green manure, but better known as a spice. Plimius named the plant Euphrosinum, because it's generally thought that it brought happiness and joy. Both the Greeks and Romans believed that borage not only comforted but also gave courage.

The Latin proverb: ´Ego Borago gaudia semper ago´ I, borage always bring joy, is still known in England (says the article).

They even said that borage brought the oblivion (Nepenthe) were Homer wrote that it was taken with wine.

From April to October (and and at least to November in our garden ;) the borage flowers with bright blue, star-shaped flowers with conspicuous purple stamens. The flowers are up to 2.5 cm. The plant is native to Europe and occurs here cultured and wild. Bees visit the flowers frequently (not these days anymore!). And - surprise, surprise - the leaves taste like cucumber ... ;)