Lithospermum officinale

Real Gromwell ( Lithospermum officinale)

The Real Gromwell ( Lithospermum officinale ) belongs to the family of Boraginaceae ( Boraginaceae ) and there in the genus gromwell ( Lithospermum ).

Description

The Real Gromwell is 30 to 100 cm high. Its stems are several, are stiff, reichästig, round and rough. The leaves are lanceolate, sessile, fell at the base in the heyday, 5-10 cm long, 1-2 cm wide, entire, rough. The flowers are in double winding, are greenish - yellowish-white, 4-5 mm long, 3-5 mm wide. The partial fruits are 3-4 mm long, smooth, shiny, white, with a few dimples.

Dissemination and locations

The Real Gromwell occurs in Europe, West Asia and Central Asia and in North America. In the southern hemisphere it is introduced and is rarely there. In Europe, it is north of the Elbe and Vistula increasingly rare. The northernmost deposits are located in Norway at 70 ° north latitude.

The Real Gromwell located dissipated as Stromtalpflanze in verlichteten oak-elm riparian forests, along forest paths and bushes hems. He prefers fresh, nutritious and calcareous loam and clay soils. The plant is a Ordnungscharakterart the Staudensäume of woody plants ( Origanetalia vulgaris).

Ecology

The Real Gromwell is a Hemikryptophyt with short, erect, mehrköpfigem, woody rhizome. The weak vorweiblichen flowers are pollinated by insects or there is self-pollination. The partial fruits are mainly transported by flowing water.

Toxicity

The plant is hardly toxic.

Active ingredient-containing plant parts are the seeds.

Active ingredients: Octatetraensäure, lithospermic, Pyrrolizidinalkaloide.

Use

According to the doctrine of signatures they took the plant earlier against stone disease. Even against rheumatism it should help.

Especially in ancient China used to the roots for dyeing wool and silk. The contained therein naphthoquinone dye Shikonin supplies violet and purple shades.

Pictures

The surface of the part of fruits reminiscent of porcelain.

Part of fruits, open.