# Western False Gromwell (*lithospermum occidentale*)

The Western False Gromwell is a beautiful flowering plant that can be found in many grasslands. Its bright blue flowers attract butterflies and other pollinators, making it a delightful sight in nature!

- **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 0/5 · No known danger
- **Snaps:** 1
- **Habitat:** It lives in grasslands, open fields, and rocky areas in North America.
- **Also known as:** Blue Gromwell, False Gromwell, Lithospermum parviflorum, Western Gromwell

![Western False Gromwell](https://inaturalist-open-data.s3.amazonaws.com/photos/207793094/medium.jpeg)

Photo: Esben Kjaer, CC BY 4.0 · [iNaturalist](https://www.inaturalist.org/photos/207793094)

## Appearance

The Western False Gromwell is an upright plant with hairy stems and narrow, bristly green leaves. It produces clusters of small, bright yellow-orange, funnel-shaped flowers at the tips of its branches. These vibrant blooms make it distinct in its dry habitats.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Plantae
- **Phylum:** Tracheophyta
- **Class:** Magnoliopsida
- **Order:** Boraginales
- **Family:** Boraginaceae
- **Genus:** Lithospermum

## Interesting facts

- Its bright yellow-orange flowers are a popular stop for various small native bees looking for nectar.
- Its name 'gromwell' comes from its seeds that look like tiny, hard stones!
- The Western False Gromwell belongs to the Borage family, which is famous for its bristly or hairy plants.
- This tough plant often thrives in dry, rocky soils where many other plants struggle to grow.

## Special abilities

- **Deep Root Diver:** Western False Gromwell has a long taproot that helps it find water deep underground, allowing it to survive dry periods.
- **Hairy Helper:** It has tiny hairs covering its leaves and stems, which help trap moisture and protect the plant from harsh sun.
- **Stony Spreader:** Western False Gromwell produces hard, stone-like seeds called nutlets that are easily dispersed by animals or rolling.

## Measurements & details

- **Height:** 30-80 cm
- **Spread:** 20-40 cm
- **Flower Size:** 0.5-1 cm
- **Bloom Season:** Late spring to summer
- **Edible:** No
- **Toxicity:** None
- **Lifecycle:** Perennial
- **Pollination Method:** Insect

## Ecological connections

- **Pollinates:** European honey bee (*Apis mellifera*) — visits flowers for nectar
- **Pollinates:** [American bumble bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-bumble-bee) (*Bombus pensylvanicus*) — gathers nectar and pollen
- **Eats:** [Deer mouse](https://www.snappit.app/explore/deer-mouse) (*Peromyscus maniculatus*) — may consume fallen seeds

## Traits

- [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
- [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals.
- [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.
- [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night.
- [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants.

## Collections

- [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants)

## Safety

**Danger:** 0/5 · No known danger

No special safety notes yet.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Western False Gromwell?

Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### How tall is Western False Gromwell?

30-80 cm

### How wide does Western False Gromwell spread?

20-40 cm

### How big are the flowers on Western False Gromwell?

0.5-1 cm

### When does Western False Gromwell bloom?

Late spring to summer

### Is Western False Gromwell edible?

No

### Is Western False Gromwell toxic?

None

### What is Western False Gromwell's lifecycle?

Perennial

## Where to spot

- [Danebod](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/danebod) — Minnesota, US · Historic District
- [Lockport Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/lockport-historic-district) — Illinois, US · Historic District
- [Mount Rushmore National Memorial](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/mount-rushmore-national-memorial) — South Dakota, US · National Park

[View all places to see Western False Gromwell](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/western-false-gromwell)

## More Plants

- [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*)
- [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*)
- [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*)
- [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*)

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Source: [Western False Gromwell: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-false-gromwell)