PlantFiles: Pacific Hound's Tongue
Cynoglossum grande

I've seen several small patches of this plant in the wild, though I would consider it to be moderately rare. It's probably hard to notice when it isn't flowering or just emerging with it's copper colored leaves. The flowers are quite striking so I will try to get it established in my oak groves. If it works out I think this is a good candidate for domestication, a strain with 5x the flower power would be quite the addition to the garden - and shade tolerant natives are few and far between for the California climate.

Several smooth stems with large, ovate, long-stalked leaves mostly near the base and loose clusters of purple or blue flowers on branches at the top.

Found in dry, shaded places in woods from western WA to southern CA.

The common name refers to the shape of the leaves. Native Americans used the root to treat burns and stomachaches.