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blu star
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| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
Borage (Borago officinalis L.), also known as "starflower" (گل گاوزبان in Persian) is an annual herb originating in Syria, but naturalized throughout the Mediterranean region, as well as most of Europe, North Africa, and Iran. It grows to a height of 60-100 cm (2-3 feet), and is bristly-hairy all over the stems and leaves; the leaves are alternate, simple, and 5-15 cm (2-6 in) long. The flowers are small, blue or pink, with five narrow, triangular-pointed petals. It has an indeterminate growth habit allowing it to produce many seeds which may lead to it spreading prolifically beyond where it is first sown or planted. In milder climates, borage will bloom continuously for most of the year.
The leaves have been found to contain small amounts (10 ppm of dried herb) of the liver-toxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids: intermedine, lycopsamine, amabiline and supinine. They taste like fresh cucumber and are used in salads and soups especially in Germany. One of the better known recipes with borage is the Green Sauce made in Frankfurt. Frankfurter Grüne Sauce, as it is called in Germany, is made from seven herbs: parsley, chervil, chives, cress, sorrel, burnet and borage. Borage is also an ingredient in the traditional recipe for a Pimm's Cup. In the Spanish regions of Aragón and Navarra, it's also commonly eaten. One of the simplest recipes uses winter grown borage (because these have grown slowly and taste better) and before flowers appear (although not mandatory) usually cooking it in boiling water with a pair of potatoes. Once plated, the vegetables are seasoned with a little olive oil and salt, before being enjoyed.
The flower, which contains the non-toxic pyrrolizidine alkaloid thesinine, has a sweet honey-like taste and is often used to decorate desserts and dishes.
Tea made from the dried flowers is a traditional calming drink in Iran. It has a rich purple color that amazingly turns into a bright pink by adding a few drops of lemon juice.[citation needed]
The oil that is extracted from the seeds (marketed as "starflower oil" or "borage oil") is a good source of gamma-linolenic acid.
Borage is also rich in oleic and palmitic acid, conferring a hypocholesterolemic effect. This oil, which has recently been commercialised, may regulate metabolism and the hormonal system, and is considered by many naturopathic practitioners to be a good remedy for PMS and menopause symptoms such as the hot flash. Borage is also sometimes indicated to alleviate and heal colds, bronchitis, and respiratory infections in general for its anti-inflammatory and balsamic properties. The flowers can be prepared in infusion to take advantage of its medicinal properties. |
nirmalroberts, boreocypriensis has marked this note useful
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- Janice
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3446 W: 144 N: 5883]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-g-g.gif)
(17434) - [2008-05-09 0:11]
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This is the Borage plant(Borago officinalis)
I love this pretty flower. The flowers are a ‘real’ blue, and they are quite tiny too - around a thumbnail size. Those stiff prickly hairs show up well Franco. It is hard to get a decent image of the plant as it grows quite messily,
TFS
Janice
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- anel
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1168 W: 0 N: 1959]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-n-g.gif)
(8315) - [2008-05-09 1:45]
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Bonjour Franco,
Belle image de la Borago officinalis qui en ce moment fleurit aussi chez nous. Lumičre presque estivale qui met en valeur l'aspect "poilu" de cette plante intéressante.
Bonne journée
Anne
Hi Franco, superb capture and composition. TFS. Regards,
Deniz
ciao finalmente riesco a collegarmi
i colori e il dettaglio sono fantastici
riesci a rendere attraente anche la semplicissima borraggine
bravo
ciao
Hi Franco,
Beautiful flower group, very nice details my friend.
Cheers,
Mehmet
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- mariki
(8329)
- [2008-05-09 11:05]
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Hello Franco,
Very nice composition (two main flowers in opposit corners and all the hairy purple lines in-between). Wonderful colours with the green background. Great sharpness too.
Cheers,
Mariki
Precioso colorido Franco.
Buen encuadre y genial iluminación.
Saludos, JL.
Un pianta con la labirintite. Incredibile il dettaglio sulla peluria. Bellisimo il blu acceso dei fiori.
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- Jamesp
(14354)
- [2008-05-09 15:13]
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Hi Franco
A great close-up and POV with good colour and superb detail. Well observed and captured.
James
Hi Franco,
Nice close-up of this Borage flower/plant. Very informative note.
Thanks a lot for sharing.
- Nirmal
Hi My dear Friend Franco, Wonderfull colours and perfect maco capture of this Borago. TFS. Cheers,
Bayram
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- lousat
(9871)
- [2008-05-12 8:28]
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Ciao Franco,devo dire che riuscire a mettere a fuoco tutto questo insieme di fiori,rami e peluria e' stata una impresa eccezionale,bravissimo davvero,ottime anche le note,ciao,Luciano
![Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 694 W: 44 N: 820]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-s-g.gif){kind=small}
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor [C: 1360 W: 56 N: 964]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-g-n.gif)
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