Lithospermum officinale L.

Herbs perennial; most parts short strigose. Roots containing little purple dye when young. Stems usually single, erect, to 1 m tall, frequently much branched at apex. Leaves sessile, lanceolate to ovate-lanceolate, 3-8 × 0.5-1.5 cm, base cuneate to attenuate, apex short acuminate; veins prominent abaxially, more densely strigose along veins. Inflorescences on upper stems and branches, to 15 cm in fruit; bracts similar to leaves but smaller. Calyx lobes linear, ca. 5-7 mm in fruit. Corolla white or pale yellow, 4-6 mm; tube ca. 2 × as long as limb; throat with 5 trapeziform, densely short pubescent appendages ca. 0.4 mm; lobes of limb erect, oblong-ovate, ca. 1.5 mm, margin undulate. Stamens inserted at middle of corolla tube; filaments ca. 0.4 mm; anthers ca. 1.2 mm. Stigma capitate. Nutlets white or yellowish brown, ovoid, ca. 3 mm, smooth, shiny, concave adaxially with center line forming a longitudinal groove. Fl. and fr. Jun-Aug. 2n = 28, 56.

It is a temperate plant. It can grow in a range of soils. It is best with moist, well-drained soil. It grows on meadow slopes and the edges of forests in north China. In Argentina it grows at 800 m above sea level. It is hardy to hardiness zone 6.

The leaves are used as a substitute for tea.

Plants can be grown by seeds. They can also be grown by cuttings and division.