Lithospermum ruderale

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Distribution

This plant is widely distributed across several regions in Western Canada. Specifically, it can be found growing in the provinces of Alberta, British Columbia, and Saskatchewan. Its range also extends southward into the Northwestern United States. Within this American region, the species is documented in both Idaho and Colorado. Consequently, its geographical presence spans a significant portion of the western North American landscape.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Lithospermum ruderale is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist in its environment over multiple growing seasons. As a perennial species, it avoids the complete senescence seen in annuals, instead utilizing established root systems to survive periods of dormancy and regrow during favorable conditions. This long-term survival strategy enables the plant to establish a stable presence within its habitat, contributing to its reproductive success through repeated cycles of growth, flowering, and seed production across several years.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Lithospermum rudeale is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and specifically a forb. It functions as a self-supporting plant, lacking any climbing or vine-like tendencies, and maintains an independent lifestyle as it is not a parasite. The plant is strictly terrestrial in its habitat, neither aquatic nor epiphytic. In terms of stature, it reaches an average height of approximately 0.46 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

0.46 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Reproduction

The reproduction of Lithospermum rudeale is primarily driven by the production of seeds, which exhibit significant variability in their physical properties. The seed mass within a population shows a measurable range, with a minimum recorded mass of 0.016175 g and a maximum mass reaching up to 0.06417 g. On average, the seeds possess a mass of 0.0179285 g, reflecting a distribution that skews toward smaller individual units while maintaining a capacity for larger, more nutrient-dense seeds. This variation in seed mass plays a critical role in the plant's dispersal and establishment strategies within its ecological niche.

Seed mass max:

0.06417 g

Seed mass mean:

0.0179285 g

Seed mass min:

0.016175 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Lithospermum ruderale has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include root.

Root

1. Contraception

Conditions

Lithospermum ruderale has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include contraceptive.

Contraceptive

1. Contraception

Preparations

Lithospermum ruderale has 1 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include crude lithosperm extract (LS).

Crude lithosperm extract (ls)

1. Contraception