Borage family

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Plants in the borage family mostly have rough hairy leaves and bell-shaped flowers that open pink then darken to blue. Many are important nectar sources for insects. Borage itself originates from the Middle East and is widely cultivated as a food plant.

Native plants in the family include common comfrey and viper's bugloss, while green alkanet and lungwort are both introductions from continental Europe that have 'escaped' into the British countryside.