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Lithospermum (Old Greek name used)
(the old Greek name used by Dioscorides, and derived from lithos, a stone, and sperma, a seed; in allusion to the hard, stone-like seeds). Gromwell. Including Batschia. ORD. Boragineae. A considerable genus (forty species have been described) of usually hardy biennial or perennial herbs, sub-shrubs, or rarely small shrubs, widely spread over Europe and Northern Asia, although most of the species belong to the Mediterranean region. Flowers white, yellow, blue, or violet, disposed in bracteated cymes; corolla regular, funnel-shaped or salver-shaped, with-out scales at the throat. Nut not contracted at the base, having a flat surface of adhesion to the receptacle. Leaves alternate, usually narrow. Only a few species of this genus are worthy of culture, and these form exceedingly pretty plants for borders, rockwork, and such-like places. They thrive best in a sandy soil or a rich loam, either of which must be well drained. Propagated by cuttings, by divisions, or by seeds.
L. canescens (hoary). fl. yellow, fulvous, nearly sessile; tube of corolla twice as long as the calyx. June and July. l. oblong, obtuse, emarginate at the apex. Stem erect, divided into two leafy cymes at top. North America, 1826. Herbaceous perennial. SYN. Batschia canescens. (B. M. 4389.) L. fruticosum (shrubby). A synonym of L. prostratum. L. Gastoni (Gaston's).* fl. bright sky-blue, twice as large as those of L. prostratum, and disposed in terminal clusters. Summer. l. obovate-lanceolate, slightly rough with adpressed hairs. h. 1ft. to 1 1/2ft. Western Pyrenees. A rare and very desirable herbaceous perennial. (B. M. 5926.) L. hirtum (hairy). fl. yellow, pilose outside; tube of corolla shorter than the calyx. May to July. l. linear-lanceolate, obtuse, 2in. to 3in. long. h. 6in. South United States, 1812. Perennial. SYN. Batschia Gmelini. L. petraeum (rock). A synonym of Moltkia petraea.
L. prostratum (prostrate)* fl. deep blue, striped with reddish-violet, axillary, distant, sessile, disposed in terminal leafy spikes on the older branches; tube of corolla three times longer than the calyx. Summer. l. sessile, lanceolate-linear, hispid. Southwestern Europe, 1825. A very handsome dwarf, trailing, evergreen sub-shrub, with prostrate spreading stems. From its bright blue, Gentian-like flowers, it is sometimes called the Gentian