Zi-Cao (Purple Gromwell)
Lithospermum erythrorhizon
Family: Boraginaceae
Herbaceous perennial. Native to northern China and Japan.
This is a very green and vigorous plant, with many small, white flowers
giving way to the globular, stone-hard nutlets. The root contains
a purple coloring matter, which is processed in China into a yellow or
purple dye. Medicinally, the root is employed in ointment form for
the treatment of eczema, boils and burns. Contains pyrrolizidine
alkaloids, so internal use of the plant is not recommended.
Cultivation: Extra care. Light-dependent germinator.
Sow seed in early spring. The hard seed coat delays germination,
so don’t give up, because it will come up. Space plants 2 feet apart.
Grows 1 to 2 feet tall, flowering in the first year.
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