Lithospermum
Lithospermum erythrorhizon
Family: Boraginaceae
What it is like
Lithospermum erythrorhizon is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.7 m (2ft 4in) by 0.3 m (1ft). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6. It is in flower from June to September, and the seeds ripen from July to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.
Height (m): 0.7
Where it is found
Grassy slopes in mountains and hills all over Japan.
E. Asia - Eastern China, Japan and Korea.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 0
Medicine
Rating: 3
All parts of the plant are antitumor, cardiotonic, contraceptive, depurative and febrifuge. It is used internally in the treatment of irritant skin conditions, measles, chicken pox, boils, carbuncles, hepatitis and skin cancer. Externally it is used to treat nappy rash, burns, cuts, wounds, abscesses, eczema and haemorrhoids. The plant is an ingredient of commercial skin care creams. The plants are harvested when in flower, the roots in the autumn. They are dried for later use.
Antitumor: Preventing, or effective against, tumors, it is used in the treatment of cancer. Probably synonymous with Cytotoxic.
Contraceptive: Prevents fertilization occurring in females.
Depurative: Eliminates toxins and purifies the system, especially the blood.
Eczema: Used in the treatment of eczema - a chronic health condition that affects the skin, causing redness, dryness, itching and infections.
Febrifuge: Reduces fevers.
Salve: Soothes and heals damaged skin.
Other
Rating: 1
A purple dye is obtained from the root. It is harvested in the spring. It is much liked but the colour is fugitive and production costs high.
Dye: Plants that provide dyes.
How it is grown
Requires a warm sunny position in a moderately fertile well-drained soil. Prefers a neutral to alkaline soil and also succeeds in partial shade. Plants are hardy to at least -15°c. This species is cultivated in Japan (as a dye plant?).
Propagating it: Seed - sow spring or autumn in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Cuttings. Division in the autumn.
Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Sunny Edge;
Habit: Perennial
Hardiness: 5-9
Growth:
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: Semi-shade, no shade
Moisture: Moist