Corn Gromwell, Field Gromwell: Lithospermum arvense (Synonym: Buglossoides arvensis)

[The Genus Lithospermum East of the Cascade Mts.]

Corn Gromwell, Field Gromwell

Lithospermum arvense

Synonym: Buglossoides arvensis

Corn gromwell as seen in bloom along US Highway 197 at the Tygh Ridge Summit..........May 14, 2010.

The photos above, at right, and below are all of corn gromwell from Catherine Creek in the Columbia River Gorge, WA...........4/12/1998.

Characteristics:

Corn gromwell is an annual with erect, slender, single stems or several stems branched from the base. If several stems are present, the central one is largest. The lowermost leaves are oblanceolate in shape, tapering gradually to the stem, and they are soon deciduous. The upper leaves are oblong, linear-oblong, or lanceolate in shape, ranging from 1.5-6 cm long and 2-15 mm wide.

The flowers are white to bluish-white, borne in the leaf axils of the reduced upper leaves. Individual flowers are 5-8 mm long, funnel-shaped, with the limb 2-4 mm wide. The inflorescence is crowded at first, elongating as the fruits set.

Habitat:

Corn gromwell may be found along roadsides, in fields, and other disturbed places.

Range:

Corn gromwell is an introduced species to the United States from Eurasia. It is now a well established weed over much of the US east of the Cascade Mts.

Paul Slichter