Common Gromwell
Common Gromwell in scrub, Ham Hill, Somerset
Flowerheads and upper leaves
Flowers - front view
Hairy sepals and leaves
Hard, white nutlets (fruits)
Lower leaves
Lithospermum officinale
Boraginaceae
Gromwell, Grummel
May to July
It is found mainly in the South and parts of East Anglia, and is
scattered elsewhere.
See the BSBI distribution map for Common Gromwell
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.
Previous page: Common Figwort
Next page: Common Mallow
Common Gromwell in scrub, Ham Hill, Somerset
Flowerheads and upper leaves
Flowers - front view
Hairy sepals and leaves
Hard, white nutlets (fruits)
Lower leaves
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