Duration: Perennial

Nativity: Native

Lifeform: Forb/Herb

General: Bristly, herbaceous perennial, to 1 m, branching from the base as well as above, stems and leaves gray-green.

Leaves: Alternate, gray-green and densely bristly, lanceolate, to 10 cm long, sessile, leaf surfaces show strong parallel veins, leaves becoming reduced near the inflorescence.

Flowers: Large, trumpet-shaped, grayish-green flowers, in terminal, scorpioid racemes, corollas generally having 5 apiculate lobes, lobes 5-6 mm, flowers and calyx covered with long, stiff bristles. Outside of the corolla tubes appearing slivery and shining in the light. Filaments well exserted.

Fruits: Nutlets, 3 or 4, white and shiny.

Ecology: Found on rocky slopes and in valleys in pine woods, from 6,000-9,000 ft (1829-2743 m); flowering July-September.

Notes: If you can't find this species in the keys, look under Macromeria viridiflora. This species is easily recognizable in flower, when not in flower, look to the bristly stems and leaves.

Ethnobotany: The dried plant was smoked for fits and as a remedy against witchcraft.

Synonyms: Macromeria viridiflora

Editor: LCrumbacher, 2011

Etymology: Lithospermum comes from the Greek lithos, "stone," and sperma, "seed".