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Species Image Gallery (opens in a new window) |
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| THE BORAGE FAMILY | |||||||||
| The borage family is represented around the world, especially in temperate and subtropical regions. There are about 117 genera and 2,400 species in this family. The borages are herbaceous plants. The name Borago comes from the Latin word “burra”, which means hairy garment and refers to the hairy leaves. The inflorescences are coiled or one-sided. The flowers are small and can often be hard to see. The fruit type is a nutlet or a drupe. Members of the borage family contain chemical compounds that are used for medicines, wines, and some cosmetics. Some borages are used as ornamentals and pot herbs; others are important as honey plants. | |||||||||
| WESTERN GROMWELL | |||||||||
| LATIN NAME: Lithospermum ruderale | |||||||||
| WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE? | |||||||||
| Western gromwell is 30 to 60 cm tall. A persistent woody stem base sits above a reddish brown taproot. The stems are tufted at the base and are regularly branched from one main axis. The stem is straw-coloured to brownish with rough hairs. The leaves appear greyish and have short or long hairs, some of which may have blisters at the base. The flowers are crowded in leafy clusters. There are no self-fertilizing flowers in this species. The petals are not bearded and are pale yellow or greenish in colour. There are four fruits, called nutlets, which are white or brownish and shiny. | |||||||||
| WHERE DOES IT GROW? | |||||||||
| Western gromwell grows in dry grasslands. | |||||||||
| WHERE IS IT FOUND IN SASKATCHEWAN? | |||||||||
| This species is found in the Cypress Hills in the Cypress Upland ecoregion. | |||||||||
| WHY IS IT RARE? | |||||||||
| This species is endangered in Saskatchewan because it is extremely rare. | |||||||||
| HOW TO IDENTIFY WESTERN GROMWELL | |||||||||
| * Are stems very leafy? * Are the leaves hairy and greyish green in colour? * Are the flowers pale yellow or green? * Did you find it in the Cypress Hills? | |||||||||
| If you answered yes to all of these questions, you may have found western gromwell! | |||||||||
