Lithospermum officinale - Gromwell

Family:	Boraginaceae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	0.75
Synonyms:
Range:	Europe, including Britain, except the extreme southwest and north, east to Iran and the Caucasus.

Lithospermum officinale (Gromwell) is a Perennial which grows to a height of 0.75m . It has a hardness rating of 6.
Gromwell will flower in December to January. the seeds ripen from January to February
The flowers from this plant are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and they are pollinated by Bees, flies

Soil Information

Gromwell will grow in light (sandy),medium (loamy),hard (clay) soil. It is / is important for the soil to be well drained.
The soil prefers the following PH / acid levels :
- pH of less than 6, Acidic soils
- pH between 6 and 8, Neutral soils
- pH greater than 8, Basic soils
Gromwell prefers moist soils

Ideal Planting Locations

Gromwell can grow in semi or areas with no shade.

Hedges, bushy places and woodland borders, usually on basic soil[17].

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

• Grows within a woodland garden
• Grows on a sunny edge
• Works within dappled Shade

Cultivation Details

Prefers a moderately fertile well-drained soil[200].

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 1/5
The leaves are used as a tea substitute[46, 61, 183].

• Tea - the various herb teas that can be used in place of tea, plus the genuine article.

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 2/5
The mature seeds are diuretic, lithontripic and oxytocic[9, 240]. They are ground into a powder and used in the treatment of bladder stones, arthritis and febrile conditions[9]. An infusion of the leaves is used as a sedative[240]. The root is depurative[240]. A syrup made from a decoction of the root and stems is used in the treatment of eruptive diseases such as smallpox, measles and itch[240]. All parts of the plant contain a substance that inhibits the secretion of the pituitary gonadotrophic hormone[240]. Extracts of the herb possess contraceptive properties[240].

• Contraceptive - Prevents fertilization occurring in females.
• Depurative - Eliminates toxins and purifies the system, especially the blood.
• Diuretic - Acts on the kidneys, promoting the flow of urine.
• Lithontripic - Removes stones from the kidney, bladder etc.
• Oxytoxic - Hastens parturition and stimulates uterine contractions. See also birthing aids.
• Sedative - Gently calms, reducing nervousness, distress and irritation.

Propagation

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.

Known Hazards

None known

Other Uses

A purple dye is obtained from the roots. It is best harvested in the spring[178].

• Dye - Plants that provide dyes.

Cultivars

no recorded cultivars

References

Flora of the British Isles.
Clapham, Tootin and Warburg.
Author: Clapham, Tootin and Warburg.
Rating:
Publisher : A very comprehensive flora, the standard reference book but it has no pictures.
Date of Publication : 1962

The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Huxley. A.
Author: Huxley. A.
Rating:
Publisher : Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
Date of Publication : 1992

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