Etymology: Lithospermum: from Greek lithos, "stone," and sperma, "seed"
Plants: erect, perennial, 6"-24" tall forb, very leafy and hairy; often as many as 12 or more stems, usually unbranched but sometimes branched at the top; stout, woody roots
Leaves: roughly hairy; growing from all around of the stem so appearing whorled
Flowers: orange to yellow, 5-parted, 1/2"-1" wide, funnel-shaped, with leafy bracts, throat of the tube hairy, petals lips smooth; inflorescence 1-3 densely-flowered, branched clusters (cymes); blooms May-July
Fruits: white, smooth, shiny nutlets
Habitat: dry; prairies, woods, inland sands; in sandy soil
Conservation Status: Native

Floristic Rating: Coefficient of Conservatism = 10 Atlas of the Wisconsin Prairie and Savanna Flora: by T.S. Cochrane & H.H. Iltis: habitat, distribution infomation / flowering and fruiting times USDA Plants Database: Federal Distribution and detailed information including photos