Lithospermum purpurocaeruleum

For the species of gromwell used for purple dye in Japan, see Lithospermum erythrorhizon.

Lithospermum purpurocaeruleum
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Asterids
Order:	Boraginales
Family:	Boraginaceae
Genus:	Lithospermum
Species:	L. purpurocaeruleum
Binomial name
Lithospermum purpurocaeruleum L.
Synonyms
Aegonychon purpurocaeruleum (L.) Holub Buglossoides purpurocaeruleum (L.) I.M. Johnst. Margarospermum purpurocaeruleum (L.) Opiz

Lithospermum purpurocaeruleum (syn. Buglossoides purpurocaerulea), the purple gromwell, is a herbaceous perennial rhizomatous plant of the genus Lithospermum, belonging to the family Boraginaceae.

Etymology

The Latin name of the species, purpurocaeruleum, means 'purple and blue', referring to the changing colour of the flowers with the progress of flowering.

Description

Close-up on purple-reddish blooms and blue flowers

Lithospermum purpurocaeruleum is a bushy plant that reaches on average 20–60 centimetres (7.9–23.6 in) of height, with a maximum of 70 centimetres (28 in). The stem is hairy, erect and unbranched. Leaves are dark green and lanceolate to narrow elliptic, with a prominent midrib on the underside. Flowers are hermaphroditic, funnel-shaped, 15–20 millimetres (0.59–0.79 in) long and 10–15 millimetres (0.39–0.59 in) of diameter, clustered in a racemose inflorescence. The blossoms are purple-reddish, then the color of the flowers turns into a deep blue. The flowering period extends from April to June. The fruits are bright white capsules, 4–5 millimetres (0.16–0.20 in) long, with a glossy surface. They are very hard (hence the genus synonym Lithospermum, meaning "stone seed" for the hardness of these capsules).

Distribution

This species is widespread in British Isles, in central Europe up to South Russia and in Mediterranean countries from Spain to the eastern Turkey.

Habitat

Lithospermum purpurocaeruleum is typically found in dry and warm forests with sparse deciduous vegetation, in the meadows on the edge of the wood, in hedgerows and scrublands. The plants prefer calcareous soils rich in humus, at an altitude of 0–1,800 metres (0–5,906 ft) above sea level.

References

• Pignatti S. - Flora d'Italia – Edagricole – 1982, Vol. II, pag. 398
• Tutin, T.G. et al. - Flora Europaea, second edition - 1993

External links

• Media related to Aegonychon purpurocaeruleum at Wikimedia Commons
• Data related to Buglossoides purpurocaeruleum at Wikispecies