Lithodora oleifolia

Lithodora oleifolia
Scientific classification
Kingdom:Plantae
Clade:Angiosperms
Clade:Eudicots
Clade:Asterids
Order:Boraginales
Family:Boraginaceae
Genus:Lithodora
Species: L. oleifolia
Binomial name
Lithodora oleifolia

Lithodora oleifolia, the olive-leaved gromwell (syn. Lithospermum oleifolium), is a species of flowering plant in the family Boraginaceae. The plant is native to a small rocky area near Figueras in the eastern Pyrenees, and is endemic to Spain.[1]

Description

Lithodora oleifolia is a lax and low evergreen sub-shrub growing to 20 cm (8 in) tall by 30 cm (12 in) or more wide. It has silky dark green leaves, similar to olive (Olea europea) leaves in shape. The plant produces sky-blue 5-lobed flowers.[2]

Cultivation

Lithodora oleifolia is cultivated as an ornamental plant. In gardens it prefers an alkaline soil. It has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit[3][4]

Taxonomy

The Latin lithodora literally means "stone gift", referring to its preference for rocky places. The term oleifolia means "olive leaved", though it is not closely related to the true olives.[5]

References

  1. ↑ Encyclopaedia: alpine garden society
  2. ↑ RHS A-Z encyclopedia of garden plants. United Kingdom: Dorling Kindersley. 2008. p. 1136. ISBN 1405332964.
  3. ↑ "RHS Plant Selector - Lithodora oleifolia". Retrieved 26 June 2013.
  4. ↑ "AGM Plants - Ornamental" (PDF). Royal Horticultural Society. July 2017. p. 61. Retrieved 25 March 2018.
  5. ↑ Coombes, Allen J. (2012). The A to Z of plant names. USA: Timber Press. p. 312. ISBN 9781604691962.
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