Lithospermum incisum
Plains stoneseed, Plains Stoneseed
(c) Ian Adams, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Boraginaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 2B.3
Lithospermum incisum (Plains stoneseed) is a native California herb in the Boraginaceae family.
Plains stoneseed is a rare (CNPS 2B.3) California native perennial found in the southeastern desert mountains including Keystone Canyon, New York Mountains, and San Bernardino County in sandy, rocky slopes and pinyon-juniper woodland at elevations of 1,650 to 1,700 meters. Flowering from April to May, this plant produces yellow flowers with a salverform shape 15 to 35 millimeters long, featuring jagged-edged lobes and a long tube. Growing with few to several stems 10 to 30 centimeters tall, it forms clustered stems that are mostly unbranched with a woody caudex. Its numerous leaves are linear to linear-oblong, measuring 1.5 to 6 centimeters long, growing from a distinctive red root that can be used as a traditional dye. The fruit consists of small ovoid nutlets 2.5 to 3.5 millimeters long, with an acute tip and a shiny, grayish surface.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 0 sympatric species; geographically isolated in SE desert mountains
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sandy, rocky slopes, pinyon/juniper woodland
Elevation: 1650-1700 m
California counties: San Bernardino
Outside California: southern Nevada, to eastern British Columbia, Montana, Great Plains
Bloom period
Lithospermum incisum blooms Apr-May.
Conservation status
CNPS 2B.3
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 incisum native to California?
Yes. Lithospermum incisum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Lithospermum incisum bloom?
Lithospermum incisum blooms Apr-May.
Where in California does Lithospermum incisum grow?
Lithospermum incisum occurs in San Bernardino, at elevations of 1650-1700 m.
What plant family does Lithospermum incisum belong to?
Lithospermum incisum is in the Boraginaceae family, genus Lithospermum.
Is Lithospermum incisum rare or endangered?
Lithospermum incisum carries California Rare Plant Rank 2B.3, state rank S1.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
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.