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Lithospermum ruderale - Douglas.

Common Name Western Gromwell, Western Stoneseed
Family Boraginaceae
USDA hardiness 4-8
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Open, fairly dry places from the foothills to moderate elevations[60].
Range Western N. America - British Columbia to California.
Edibility Rating    (1 of 5)
Other Uses    (2 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (2 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Full sun
Lithospermum ruderale Western Gromwell, Western Stoneseed


Lithospermum ruderale Western Gromwell, Western Stoneseed

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Lithospermum ruderale is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.8 m (2ft 7in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 4. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, 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

Plant Habitats

 Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Seed
Edible Uses:

The seeds have been used for food[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.
Antirheumatic  Astringent  Contraceptive  Diuretic  Kidney

An infusion or decoction of the root has been used as a diuretic in the treatment of kidney complaints and also to treat internal haemorrhaging, diarrhoea etc[61, 257]. A poultice of the dried powdered leaves and stems has been used to relieve the pain of rheumatic joints[257]. Some N. American Indian women drank a cold water infusion of the roots daily for six months to ensure permanent sterility[213]. Alcoholic extracts of the plant have been shown to eliminate the oestrus cycle and decrease the weight of the thymus and pituitary glands[213].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Beads  Dye

The plant has been used as a dye and body paint[238]. No more details are given in the report, but it is likely that the root is used and the colour is some shade of red[K]. The hard, white, shiny seeds have been used as beads[257].

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Prefers a sunny position in a moderately fertile well-drained soil[200].

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 (Alberta (south), British Columbia (south)), United States (Colorado, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, California (north), Nevada, Utah)

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 incisumNarrow-Leaf Gromwell, Narrowleaf stoneseedPerennial0.3 3-7  LMNDM121
Lithospermum multiflorumManyflowered Gromwell, Manyflowered stoneseedPerennial0.5 3-7  LMNDM111
Lithospermum officinaleGromwell, European stoneseedPerennial0.8 5-9  LMHSNM121

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

Douglas.

Botanical References

60200

Links / References

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

Readers comment

Peggy Hewel   Mon Mar 24 2008

Mein Englisch ist leider sehr schlecht.Vielleicht verstehen Sie mich trotzdem. Können Sie mir ein Buch oder Artikel über Lithospermum ruderale empfehlen, dass in die deutsche Sprache übersetzt wurde und ich etwas über die Pflanze als Verhütungsmittel erfahren kann,den Nebenwirkungen , der Handhabung etc. ?

Birgit   Wed Dec 2 2009

Liebe Peggy Hewel, Auf www.pflanzenwerkstatt.at findest du in etwa zwei Wochen ein neues Buch über pflanzliche Verhütungsmittel! Da wird auch der Steinsame beschrieben... For all English-speaking people: At www.pflanzenwerkstatt.at you can find a newly published book about herbal contraceptives, where also the stoneseeds are described in detail. liebe Grüße, Birgit

Die Pflanzenwerkstatt herbal contraceptives, mycorrhizae, shamanic plants, rennet plants, ...

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