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Lithospermum incisum - Lehm.

Common Name Narrow-Leaf Gromwell, Narrowleaf stoneseed
Family Boraginaceae
USDA hardiness 3-7
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Dry soils of plains, foothills and ridges in mountains to 2100 metres[212].
Range Central N. America - British Columbia to Manitoba, south to Illinois, Texas and Arizona.
Edibility Rating    (1 of 5)
Other Uses    (1 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (2 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Full sun
Lithospermum incisum Narrow-Leaf Gromwell, Narrowleaf stoneseed


http://www.nps.gov
Lithospermum incisum Narrow-Leaf Gromwell, Narrowleaf stoneseed
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:JerryFriedman

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Lithospermum incisum is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.3 m (1ft).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 3. It is in flower in June. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

L. angustifolium. Michx. L. breviflorum.

Plant Habitats

 Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Root
Edible Uses: Tea

Root - cooked[105, 161, 207, 212]. Eaten boiled or roasted[257]. The root has been used to make a tea[257].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Contraceptive  Kidney  Miscellany  Ophthalmic  Pectoral  Stomachic

The root has been chewed by some native North American Indian tribes as a treatment for colds[213]. The finely powdered leaves, root and stem have been rubbed on the body in the treatment of paralyzed limbs[257]. An infusion of the root has been used in the treatment of stomach aches and kidney problems[257]. The plant has been eaten as an oral contraceptive and also as a treatment for lung haemorrhages, coughs and colds[257]. A cold infusion of the pulverized root and seed has been used as an eyewash[257]. This plant was used as a medicine by various native North American Indian tribes and interest in the plant has revived recently as a possible source of modern drugs[212]. No more details are given.

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Beads  Dye  Incense  Miscellany

The dried plant tops have been burnt as an incense[257]. A blue dye has been obtained from the roots[257]. A red dye is obtained from the roots[274]. It is quite possible that both colours can be obtained, depending on the mordant used[K]. The seeds have been used as beads[257].

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Requires a warm sunny position in a moderately fertile well-drained soil[1, 200]. Dislikes acid soils[1]. After producing large, conspicuous flowers in the spring, the plant produces lots of small very fertile cleistogamous flowers[274].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Fahrenheit:

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The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

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Plant Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Cuttings. Division.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

NORTHERN AMERICA: Canada (Ontario, Saskatchewan, Alberta, Manitoba, British Columbia), United States (Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Illinois, Oklahoma, Wisconsin, Colorado, Montana, Wyoming, Arkansas, New Mexico, Texas, Arizona, Nevada, Utah), Mexico (Coahuila de Zaragoza)

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Lithospermum canescensPaint Indian, Hoary puccoonPerennial0.2 3-7  LMNDM111
Lithospermum carolinienseHairy Puccoon, Carolina puccoonPerennial1.0 5-9  LMNDM011
Lithospermum erythrorhizonLithospermumPerennial0.7 5-9  LMHSNM031
Lithospermum multiflorumManyflowered Gromwell, Manyflowered stoneseedPerennial0.5 3-7  LMNDM111
Lithospermum officinaleGromwell, European stoneseedPerennial0.8 5-9  LMHSNM121
Lithospermum ruderaleWestern Gromwell, Western StoneseedPerennial0.8 4-8  LMHNDM122

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

Lehm.

Botanical References

43200274

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

Andy Schmid   Sun Sep 16 2007

Can anyone please advise if Lithospermum (Heavenly Blue) should be pruned after flowering each year, or just left alone ?

dana   Sun May 31 2009

Can anyone please advise if Lithospermum (Heavenly Blue) should be pruned after flowering each year, or just left alone ?

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