Lithospermum incisum
Narrow-Leaf Gromwell
a perennial member of the Lithospermum genus in the family Boraginaceae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Boraginaceae
- Genus
- Lithospermum
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Height
- 0.3 m
- Fertility
- Insects
- Flower type
- hermaphrodite
- Pollinators
- Insects
Uses
Edible uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Root - cooked[2][3][5][6]. Eaten boiled or roasted[8]. The root has been used to make a tea[8].
- Plant part
- Root
- Product or use
- Tea
Medicinal uses
Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
The root has been chewed by some native North American Indian tribes as a treatment for colds[7]. The finely powdered leaves, root and stem have been rubbed on the body in the treatment of paralyzed limbs[8]. An infusion of the root has been used in the treatment of stomach aches and kidney problems[8]. The plant has been eaten as an oral contraceptive and also as a treatment for lung haemorrhages, coughs and colds[8]. A cold infusion of the pulverized root and seed has been used as an eyewash[8]. 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[6]. No more details are given.
- Product or use
- Contraceptive
- Product or use
- Kidney
- Product or use
- Miscellany
- Product or use
- Ophthalmic
- Product or use
- Pectoral
- Product or use
- Stomachic
Material uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
The dried plant tops have been burnt as an incense[8]. A blue dye has been obtained from the roots[8]. A red dye is obtained from the roots[9]. It is quite possible that both colours can be obtained, depending on the mordant used[K]. The seeds have been used as beads[8].
- Product or use
- Beads
- Product or use
- Dye
- Product or use
- Incense
Environment
- Range
- Central N. America - British Columbia to Manitoba, south to Illinois, Texas and Arizona.
- Habitat
- Dry soils of plains, foothills and ridges in mountains to 2100 metres[6].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- no shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 3+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy
- Soil pH
- neutral, alkaline
- Drainage
- well drained
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
Propagation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
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.
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Requires a warm sunny position in a moderately fertile well-drained soil[1][4]. Dislikes acid soils[1]. After producing large, conspicuous flowers in the spring, the plant produces lots of small very fertile cleistogamous flowers[9].
References
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00
Yanovsky. E. Food Plants of the N. American Indians. Publication no. 237. U.S. Depf of Agriculture.
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Coffey. T. The History and Folklore of North American Wild Flowers. Facts on File. 1993-00-00 ISBN 0-8160-2624-6
Craighead. J., Craighead. F. and Davis. R. A Field Guide to Rocky Mountain Wildflowers The Riverside Press 1963-00-00 ISBN 63-7093
Weiner. M. A. Earth Medicine, Earth Food. Ballantine Books 1980-00-00 ISBN 0-449-90589-6
Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9
Diggs, Jnr. G.M.; Lipscomb. B. L. & O'Kennon. R. J Illustrated Flora of North Central Texas Botanical Research Institute, Texas. 1999-00-00 http://artemis.austincollege.edu/acad/bio/gdiggs/NCTXpdf.htm