Buglossoides arvensis Field Gromwell, Corn gromwell PFAF Plant Database

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Summary

Physical Characteristics

Buglossoides arvensis is a ANNUAL growing to 0.5 m (1ft 8in) by 0.5 m (1ft 8in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7. It is in flower from May to July, and the seeds ripen from July to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees, flies.
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 can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Aegonychon arvense (L.) Gray; Buglossoides arvensis f. cyanea R.Fern; Lithospermum arvense L; Margar

Plant Habitats

Meadow; Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

The European Union has granted the refined oil of the seed of Buglossoides arvensis novel food status (a type of food that does not have a significant history of consumption or is produced by a method that has not previously been used for food) and some farmers are growing it.

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.
Diuretic

An infusion of the leaves is used as a diuretic[240].

References More on Medicinal Uses

Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

207189 Prefers 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:

Celsius Fahrenheit:

Plant Propagation

Seed - sow spring in situ. Germination should take place within a few weeks.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

USA: Corn Gromwell. Puccoon. Denmark: Ager-stenfr. Poland: Nawrot polny. Italiano: Erba perla minore dei campi. France French name: Grémil des champs. Germany German name: Acker-Steinsame. Brazil Brazilian name: aljofareira. Sweden Swedish name: sminkrot.

Native Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: Afghanistan, Egypt (Sinai), Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Turkey, Armenia, Georgia, Russian Federation-Western Siberia (Western Siberia), Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, China, Japan TROPICAL ASIA: India (north), Nepal, Pakistan EUROPE: Finland, United Kingdom, Ireland, Norway, Sweden, Austria, Belgium, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Netherlands, Poland, Slovakia, Russian Federation (European part), Belarus, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Ukraine (incl. Krym), Albania, Bulgaria, Greece (incl. Crete), Italy (incl. Sardinia, Sicily), Romania, Slovenia, Spain (incl. Baleares), France (incl. Corsica), Portugal AFRICA: Spain (Canarias), Algeria (north), Egypt (north), Morocco, Tunisia

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.

This plant may be weedy or invasive. Some evidence in USA: Kentucky. Illinois. Nebraska. Tennessee. Wyoming.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status : This taxon has not yet been assessed.

IUCN Red List

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Growth	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other

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.

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Expert comment

Author

(L.)I.M.Johnst.

Botanical References

Links / References

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

Readers comment


Tanya Jane-Patmore, York UK	Sat Aug 12 2006

Hi! A few days ago I was in Uppsala botanic garden in Sweden (with Linneaus links) and they grew this plant there, among the 'colouring' plants. the Swedish common name translates loosely as 'make-up root'. I assumed it has something to do with getting colour out of it. Perhaps Uppsala botanic Garden will know? I don't have any links there. tanya


Dr. Laura Popova	Fri Jun 1 2007

I found a note on the usage of this plant. Areshian writes "It was fascinating to find that at that time in the region of Mountainous Karabagh (as well as in other locations in Transcaucasia) women living in remote villages collected field gromwell in its wild habitat in early spring. They processed the roots and extracted from those a beautiful red pigment that was used in folk cosmetics." Areshian, G.E. 1979. Nor nyut’er Hayastani m.t’.a. 3-rd hazaramyaki erkragorcakan tekhnikakan kulturaneri masin. In Arakelian B.N. (ed.), Haykakan SSH-um 1977-1978 t’t’. dashtayin hnagitakan ashkhatank’neri ardyunk’nerin nvirvac zekutsumneri t’ezisner. Yerevan: Publishing House of the Academy of Sciences of the Armenian SSR, 12-14.

Buglossoides arvensis - (L.)I.M.Johnst.