Wildflowers of the United States

Southern Stoneseed, Tuberous Stoneseed, Tuberous Gromwell - Lithospermum tuberosum

Genus Common Name: Stoneseed

Native Status: Native

Dicot Perennial Herb

Lithospermum tuberosum - Southern Stoneseed, Tuberous Stoneseed, Tuberous Gromwell. A hairy plant growing from 1 to 2 feet tall in forests with underlying limestone rocks in the southeastern United States. While the genus name refers to the very hard seed, the species epithet refers to the tuber-like root. I photographed this plant after author Jay Clark pointed it out to me as we crossed a limestone outcropping on a deer trail we were walking in one of the few places in Georgia where it can be found.

Found in:
AL, AR, FL, GA, KY, LA, MS, NC, SC, TN, TX, VA, WV

Leave comments on Lithospermum tuberosum at this link.

Distribution of Lithospermum tuberosum in the United States and Canada:

Map courtesy of The Biota of North America Program.
Map color key
Search Our Database: Enter any portion of the Scientific, Common Name, or both.

Do a general Google search of the entire site:

#ad

Follow USWildflowers on Twitter

Site: Pigeon Mountain - East, Walker County GA Date: 2011-April-02	Photographer: Gerald C. Williamson Nikon D60 Tamron SP 90MM f/2.8 AF Macro
Blooming in mid-spring, Southern Stoneseed appears to have a cluster of yellow flowers terminating the branches, but they are actually solitary flowers growing from leaf axils crowded together at the end of the stem.

Site: Pigeon Mountain - East, Walker County GA Date: 2011-April-02	Photographer: Gerald C Williamson Nikon D60 Tamron SP 90MM f/2.8 AF Macro
The stem leaves of Lithospermum tuberosum are alternate and more slender than the basal leaves.
Click on the photo for a larger image
Site: Pigeon Mountain - East, Walker County GA Date: 2011-April-02	Photographer: Gerald C Williamson Nikon D60 Tamron SP 90MM f/2.8 AF Macro
Southern Stoneseed has a basal rosette of oblong leaves from 2 to 4 inches long. This basal rosette can be used to differentiate Lithospermum tuberosum from the similar L. latifolium, American Stoneseed, which is generally taller and has no basal rosette. All parts of the plant are hairy, some densely.
Click on the photo for a larger image

#ad

Lithospermum tuberosum initially published on USWildflowers.com 2011-05-29; Updated 2015-06-24

Commercial / Cookie Notice

Looking for Wildflowers for a specific state? Check here:

All content except USDA Plants Database map Copyright Gerald C. Williamson 2024
Photographs Copyright owned by the named photographer

Code Update 20230302