Lithospermum purpurocaeruleum is a synonym for Aegonychon purpurocaeruleum (L.) Holub, the purple gromwell,[1] is a herbaceous perennial rhizomatous flowering plant in the family Boraginaceae.
The Latin name of the species, purpurocaeruleum, means 'purple and blue', referring to the changing colour of the flowers with the progress of flowering.
Lithospermum purpurocaeruleum is a bushy plant that reaches on average 20–60 centimetres (7.9–23.6 in) of height, with a maximum of 70 centimetres (28 in). The stem is hairy, erect and unbranched. Leaves are dark green and lanceolate to narrow elliptic, with a prominent midrib on the underside. Flowers are hermaphroditic, funnel-shaped, 15–20 millimetres (0.59–0.79 in) long and 10–15 millimetres (0.39–0.59 in) of diameter, clustered in a racemose inflorescence. The flowers are initially purple-reddish, changing to a deep blue. The flowering period extends from April to June. The fruits are bright white capsules, 4–5 millimetres (0.16–0.20 in) long, with a glossy surface. They are very hard (hence the genus synonym Lithospermum, meaning "stone seed" for the hardness of these capsules).
This species is rare in British Isles,[2] widespread in central Europe up to South Russia and in Mediterranean countries from Spain to the eastern Turkey.
Lithospermum purpurocaeruleum is typically found in dry and warm forests with sparse deciduous vegetation, in the meadows on the edge of the wood, in hedgerows and scrublands. The plants prefer calcareous soils rich in humus, at an altitude of 0–1,800 metres (0–5,906 ft) above sea level.
Lithospermum purpurocaeruleum is a synonym for Aegonychon purpurocaeruleum (L.) Holub, the purple gromwell, is a herbaceous perennial rhizomatous flowering plant in the family Boraginaceae.
