[Gromwells and Puccoons: The Genera Buglossoides and Lithosperumum in the Columbia River Gorge of Oregon and Washington]

Corn Gromwell, Field Gromwell

Buglossoides arvensis

Synonym: Lithospermum arvense

Corn Gromwell, Field Gromwell: Buglossoides arvensis (Synonym:Lithospermum arvense)

Corn gromwell as seen at Catherine Creek in the Columbia River Gorge.........April 14, 2007.

Characteristics:

Corn gromwell is an annual with erect, slender, single stems or several stems branched from the base. If several stems are present, the central one is largest. The lowermost leaves are oblanceolate in shape, tapering gradually to the stem, and they are soon deciduous. The upper leaves are oblong, linear-oblong, or lanceolate in shape, ranging from 1.5-6 cm long and 2-15 mm wide.

The flowers are white to bluish-white, borne in the leaf axils of the reduced upper leaves. Individual flowers are 5-8 mm long, funnel-shaped, with the limb 2-4 mm wide. The inflorescence is crowded at first, elongating as the fruits set.


Habitat:

Corn gromwell may be found along roadsides, in fields, and other disturbed places.


Range:

Corn gromwell is an introduced species to the United States from Eurasia. It is now a well established weed over much of the US east of the Cascade Mts.

In the Columbia River Gorge, it may be found between the elevations of 100'-3000' from Dog Mt. east to near Horsethief Butte.


Corn Gromwell, Field Gromwell: Buglossoides arvensis (Synonym:Lithospermum arvense)

Corn gromwell as seen at Catherine Creek in the Columbia River Gorge........April 14, 2007.

Paul Slichter