HOARY PUCCOON - 'NUFF SAID

The hoary puccoon is note-worthy simply because of its name.  “Hoary” means gray or white with age and in the case of this plant, it refers to an abundance of leaf hairs.  “Puccoon” refers to plants with a purple, red or yellow dye.  The red tap-root was used to make a red dye and the yellow flowers to make yellow dye.  The hoary puccoon is a member of the Borage family (Boraginaceae).  Many plants within this group are astringent and have medicinal uses.  Hoary puccoon was used as a medicinal tea.  You can find this plant throughout the eastern U.S. in a number of habitats.  It blooms from April-June depending on your location.