Seasonal Wild Flowers

Common Gromwell

Lithospermum officinale

Boraginaceae

Gromwell, Grummel

May to July

It is found mainly in the South, 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.

Common Gromwell in scrub, Ham Hill, Somerset

Flowerheads and upper leaves

Flowers - front view

Hairy sepals and leaves

Hard, white nutlets (fruits)

Lower leaves