Seasonal Wild Flowers

Common Gromwell

Lithospermum officinale

Boraginaceae

Gromwell, Grummel

May to July

It is found mainly in the South and parts of East Anglia, and is

scattered elsewhere.

For a map see the National Biodiversity Network Gateway

It grows on limey soils in grassland, hedgerows and the edges

of woods, and on rocky ground, scree and quarries.

It may be decreasing.

Common Gromwell is a native, roughly hairy, stiffish, branched,

perennial herb growing up to 1m.

Flowers are on leafy spikes, 3-6mm across and ranging in colour

from yellow-cream to greenish-white.

Leaves are lanceolate (sometimes ovate), up to 7cm long, with

strong lateral veins.

Fruits are hard, shiny white nutlets.

It is related to Corn Gromwell, Lithospermum arvense, which is

the plant from which Ahiflower has been genetically selected and

is a commercial source of plant-derived omega-3 fatty acids.

Common Gromwell in scrub, Ham Hill, Somerset

Flowerheads and upper leaves

Flowers - front view

Hairy sepals and leaves

Hard, white nutlets (fruits)

Lower leaves