Lithospermum latifolium Michx.

American Gromwell

© SRTurner

Family - Boraginaceae

Stem - Up to 1 m, ascending to erect, branched or unbranched, pubescent with stiff, appressed antrorse hairs.

	Stem.
© SRTurner

Leaves - Lanceolate or narrowly ovate, somewhat roughened with stiff, appressed hairs; venation conspicuous.

	Leaves.
© SRTurner

	Leaf abaxial.
© SRTurner

Inflorescence - No info. yet.

	Inflorescence.
© SRTurner

Inflorescence - Solitary flowers in upper leaf axils.

	Inflorescence.
© SRTurner

Calyces - 5-lobed, actinomorphic, 4-6 mm long, hairy.

	Calyces.
© SRTurner

Flower - Corolla narrowly funnelform, lobes entire, pale yellow to greenish white. Stamens inserted near middle of corolla tube.

	Flower.
© SRTurner

Fruits - Nutlets 3.5-5.0 mm long, nearly smooth, white.

Flowering - May - June.

Habitat - Mesic forests, usually on north-facing slopes.

Origin - Native to North America.

Other info. - This plant is relatively uncommon throughout its range. In Missouri it has been collected from only seven widely scattered counties in the northern half of the state. Superficially it resembles Onosmodium molle, though the flowers are much different.

Photographs taken in Daniel Boone Conservation Area, Warren County, MO, 4-17-2012 (SRTurner).