Lithospermum ruderale is a species of flowering plant in the borage family known by the common name western stoneseed or lemonweed. It is native to western Canada and the western United States, where it can be found in many types of habitat. A perennial herb growing from a taproot and woody caudex, it is covered with fine, more or less upright, hairs, especially on the stems. It produces a cluster of erect leafy stems ranging from 20 to 50 centimetres (7+7⁄8 to 19+5⁄8 in) centimeters in height. The stems support lance-shaped leaves ranging from 2.5–10 cm (1–4 in) in length.[1] Bunches of flowers with leaf-like bracts appear toward the top of the stem amongst the leaves. The corolla is fused at the base with five lobes[1] which are light yellow, often slightly greenish, and about a centimeter long and wide. The style is short. The fruit consists of one or two, sometimes four, clustered glossy grey nutlets, 3.5 to 6, sometimes as much as 8 mm long.
The plant was used as a contraceptive by several Native American groups, including the Navajo and Shoshone.[2] Studies on mice show the plant reduced their fertility.[3] Plains Indians also used the roots to treat respiratory issues and cooked them as food.[1]
Lithospermum ruderale is a species of flowering plant in the borage family known by the common name western stoneseed or lemonweed. It is native to western Canada and the western United States, where it can be found in many types of habitat. A perennial herb growing from a taproot and woody caudex, it is covered with fine, more or less upright, hairs, especially on the stems. It produces a cluster of erect leafy stems ranging from 20 to 50 centimetres (7+7⁄8 to 19+5⁄8 in) centimeters in height. The stems support lance-shaped leaves ranging from 2.5–10 cm (1–4 in) in length. Bunches of flowers with leaf-like bracts appear toward the top of the stem amongst the leaves. The corolla is fused at the base with five lobes which are light yellow, often slightly greenish, and about a centimeter long and wide. The style is short. The fruit consists of one or two, sometimes four, clustered glossy grey nutlets, 3.5 to 6, sometimes as much as 8 mm long.
The plant was used as a contraceptive by several Native American groups, including the Navajo and Shoshone. Studies on mice show the plant reduced their fertility. Plains Indians also used the roots to treat respiratory issues and cooked them as food.
The throat of the flower is glandular with no protrusions.
Lithospermum ruderale es una especie de planta con flores perteneciente a la familia de la borraja conocida por el nombre común de stoneesed western o lemonweed. Es originaria del oeste de Canadá y del oeste de los Estados Unidos, donde se puede encontrar en muchos tipos de hábitat.
Hierba perenne que crece a partir de una raíz primaria y un cáudice leñoso, está cubierta de pelos finos, más o menos erguidos, especialmente en los tallos. Produce un grupo de tallos frondosos erectos de 20 a 50 centímetros de alto. Los tallos soportan hojas en forma de lanza de hasta 8 centímetros de largo. Racimos de flores con brácteas en forma de hoja aparecen hacia la parte superior del tallo entre las hojas. La corola es de color amarillo claro, a menudo ligeramente verdoso, y de aproximadamente un centímetro de largo y ancho. El estilo es corto. La fruta consiste en uno o dos, a veces cuatro, nueces grises brillantes agrupadas, 3.5 a 6, a veces hasta 8 mm de largo. Esta planta fue utilizada como anticonceptivo por varios grupos de nativos americanos, incluidos los navajos y los shoshone.[1] Los estudios en ratones mostraron que la planta redujo su fertilidad.[2]
Lithospermum ruderale es una especie de planta con flores perteneciente a la familia de la borraja conocida por el nombre común de stoneesed western o lemonweed. Es originaria del oeste de Canadá y del oeste de los Estados Unidos, donde se puede encontrar en muchos tipos de hábitat.
