Lithospermum ruderale

Lithospermum ruderale
Lithospermum ruderale in Wenas Wildlife Area, Washington

Secure  (NatureServe)[1]
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Boraginales
Family: Boraginaceae
Genus: Lithospermum
Species:
L. ruderale
Binomial name
Lithospermum ruderale
Synonyms[2]
  • Batschia pilosa G.Don
  • Batschia torreyi G.Don
  • Lithospermum lanceolatum Rydb.
  • Lithospermum pilosum Nutt.
  • Lithospermum ruderale var. lanceolatum A.Nelson
  • Lithospermum ruderale var. macrospermum J.F.Macbr.
  • Lithospermum ruderale var. torreyi J.F.Macbr.
  • Lithospermum torreyi Nutt.

Lithospermum ruderale is a species of flowering plant in the borage family, Boraginaceae.[2][3] It is known by the common name western stoneseed or lemonweed. It is native to western Canada and the western United States, where it can be found in many types of habitat. A perennial herb growing from a taproot and woody caudex, it is covered with fine, more or less upright, hairs, especially on the stems. It produces a cluster of erect leafy stems ranging from 20 to 50 centimetres (7+7⁄8 to 19+5⁄8 in) centimeters in height. The stems support lance-shaped leaves ranging from 2.5–10 cm (1–4 in) in length.[4] Bunches of flowers with leaf-like bracts appear toward the top of the stem amongst the leaves. The corolla is fused at the base with five lobes[4] which are light yellow, often slightly greenish, and about a centimeter long and wide. The style is short. The fruit consists of one or two, sometimes four, clustered glossy grey nutlets, 3.5 to 6, sometimes as much as 8 mm long.

The plant was used as a contraceptive by several Native American groups, including the Navajo and Shoshone.[5] Studies on mice show the plant reduced their fertility.[6] Plains Indians also used the roots to treat respiratory issues and cooked them as food.[4]

The throat of the flower is glandular with no protrusions.

References

  1. ^ NatureServe (2023). "Lithospermum ruderale". Arlington, Virginia. Retrieved 14 November 2023.
  2. ^ a b "Lithospermum ruderale Douglas ex Lehm". Plants of the World Online. The Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. n.d. Retrieved June 14, 2025.
  3. ^ "Lithospermum ruderale Douglas ex Lehm". Catalogue of Life. Species 2000. n.d. Retrieved June 14, 2025.
  4. ^ a b c Taylor, Ronald J. (1994) [1992]. Sagebrush Country: A Wildflower Sanctuary (rev. ed.). Missoula, MT: Mountain Press Pub. Co. p. 24. ISBN 0-87842-280-3. OCLC 25708726.
  5. ^ Ethnobotany
  6. ^ MoBot Online Exhibit
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