Lithospermum

Taxobox
name = "Lithospermum"

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image_width = 200px
image_caption = "Lithospermum purpurocaeruleum"
regnum = Plantae
divisio = Magnoliophyta
classis = Magnoliopsida
familia = Boraginaceae
genus = "Lithospermum"
subdivision_ranks = Species
subdivision = About 50,cite web | url = http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=2&taxon_id=118745 | title = Lithospermum Linnaeus, Sp. Pl. 1: 132. 1753. | work = Flora of China ] see text

"Lithospermum" is a genus of plants belonging to the family Boraginaceae. Herbs or small shrubs, they are widely distributed except in Australasia. Species are known generally as gromwells or stoneseeds.

Some species, such as "Lithospermum arvense", are sometimes classified in the genus "Buglossoides", but that genus is subsumed into "Lithospermum" by works such as the "Flora of China".

"Lithospermum officinale", or gromwell, is a European native while "Lithospermum caroliniense", a species of puccoon, is native to North America. "Lithospermum purpurocaeruleum" is native to Japan, where it has been traditionally been used to make a purple dye.

Uses and toxicity

Gromwell contains estrogen-like compounds that disrupt the female hormonal reproductive system and suppress the normal menstrual cycle. Gromwell has been used for centuries as a female contraceptive, and "L. arvensis" is currently used in Europe for that purpose. Gromwell has dramatic and dangerous hormonal effects on the body and is not approved for use in the United States. [Edible and Medicinal plants of the West, Gregory L. Tilford, ISBN 0-87842-359-1]

pecies include

*"Lithospermum arvense" - field gromwell
*"Lithospermum californicum" - California stoneseed
*"Lithospermum canescens" - hoary puccoon
*"Lithospermum caroliniense" - Carolina puccoon
*"Lithospermum confine" - Arizona stoneseed
*"Lithospermum incisum" - narrowleaf stoneseed
*"Lithospermum multiflorum" - manyflowered stoneseed
*"Lithospermum officinale" - European stoneseed
*"Lithospermum purpurocaeruleum" - purple gromwell
*"Lithospermum ruderale" - western stoneseed
*"Lithospermum viride" - green stoneseed

References

* [http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=LITHO3 USDA Plants Profile: North American Species]
* Edible and Medicinal plants of the West, Gregory L. Tilford, ISBN 0-87842-359-1