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gromwell

Lithospermum · Accepted scientific name

Scientific literature: Very Sparse (7 studies) · ★☆☆☆☆

Gromwell, scientifically known as Lithospermum, is a versatile genus of flowering plants within the Boraginaceae family. Renowned for their vibrant blue or purple blooms, these hardy perennials have long been utilized in traditional medicine. Their roots contain naphthodianthrin, historically valued for treating skin ailments and inflammatory conditions.

Family
Boraginaceae
Native range
Europe
Parts used
Not available
Common names
Gromwell · Puccoon · 3 more
Scientific synonyms
Osmodium · Onosmodium · 7 more

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Lithospermum

Synonyms

Regional and Traditional Names

German:

  • Steinsamen
  • Steinsame
  • Steinsame
  • Steinsamen

French:

  • Grémil
  • grémils
  • Grémil

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It is further classified under the subclass Magnoliidae, the order Boraginales, and the family Boraginaceae. Finally, it is categorized under the genus Lithospermum.

Rank Classification
Kingdom Plantae
Phylum Streptophyta
Class Equisetopsida
Subclass Magnoliidae
Order Boraginales
Family Boraginaceae
Genus Lithospermum

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution across several regions in Northern Europe. It can be found growing in the natural landscapes of Denmark. Furthermore, the species is documented within the territories of Finland and Iceland. Its presence also extends to the islands of Great Britain and Ireland. Together, these locations define the northern reaches of its known habitat.

Region Area
Northern Europe Denmark
Northern Europe Finland
Northern Europe Great Britain
Northern Europe Iceland
Northern Europe Ireland
Northern Europe Norway
Northern Europe Sweden
Middle Europe Austria
Middle Europe Belgium
Middle Europe Czechia-Slovakia

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Chemicals

Lithospermum has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include shikonin.

Chemicals reported in Lithospermum
Chemical Supporting sources Consensus
shikonin 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆

shikonin

  1. Frontiers in pharmacology

Activities

Lithospermum has 6 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anticancer, Antidiabetic, Antimicrobial, Antithrombotic, Antiviral.

Activities reported in Lithospermum
Activity Supporting sources Consensus
Anticancer 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Antidiabetic 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Antimicrobial 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Antithrombotic 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Antiviral 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Neuroprotective 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆

Anticancer

  1. Frontiers in pharmacology

Antidiabetic

  1. Frontiers in pharmacology

Antimicrobial

  1. Frontiers in pharmacology

Antithrombotic

  1. Frontiers in pharmacology

Antiviral

  1. Frontiers in pharmacology

Neuroprotective

  1. Frontiers in pharmacology

Preparations

Lithospermum has 1 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Lithospermum extract.

Preparations reported for Lithospermum
Preparation Supporting sources Consensus
Lithospermum extract 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆

Lithospermum extract

  1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica