Lithospermum arvense
Gromwell
(c) Douglas Goldman, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Douglas Goldman · licence
Family: Boraginaceae · Type: Herb · Not Native
Lithospermum arvense (Gromwell) is a non-native California herb in the Boraginaceae family.
Gromwell is a naturalized annual found in northern Sierra Nevada, San Francisco Bay Area (extirpated), and Modoc Plateau in disturbed areas and open meadows at elevations of 100 to 1,500 meters. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces white to blue-white flowers about 5 to 8 millimeters long with funnel-shaped corollas. Growing with branched stems 10 to 70 centimeters tall that emerge from a red root, it has a sparse, strigose appearance. Its leaves are relatively few, ranging 2 to 6 centimeters long and varying from linear to lanceolate in shape. The fruit consists of small, wrinkled, brown nutlets about 2.5 to 3 millimeters long that develop late in the season.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 2 sympatric species; key differentiators are annual habit and small white flowers vs larger yellow flowers of natives
Habitat and range
Habitat: Disturbed areas, open meadows
Elevation: 100-1500 m
Outside California: to Washington, eastern North America, native to Eurasia
Bloom period
Lithospermum arvense blooms Apr-Jun.
How to tell it apart
vs Diplacus: Lithospermum has tiny tubular flowers in leafy clusters; Diplacus has showy snapdragon-like flowers.; vs Amsinckia: Lithospermum has leafy bracts throughout the flower cluster; Amsinckia has naked coiled spikes.; vs Lantana: Lithospermum has tubular single flowers; Lantana has dense rounded flower heads with square stems.; vs Echium: Lithospermum flowers are radially symmetrical; Echium flowers are irregular with protruding stamens.; vs Mertensia: Lithospermum has white/yellow flowers in dry habitats; Mertensia has blue/pink bells in moist sites.
Frequently asked questions
Is Lithospermum arvense native to California?
No. Lithospermum arvense is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Lithospermum arvense bloom?
Lithospermum arvense blooms Apr-Jun.
What plant family does Lithospermum arvense belong to?
Lithospermum arvense is in the Boraginaceae family, genus Lithospermum.
What habitat does Lithospermum arvense grow in?
Lithospermum arvense grows in Disturbed areas, open meadows.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.