Lithospermum caroliniense
hairy puccoon
Overview
Lithospermum caroliniense, hairy puccoon, is an upright perennial of eastern and central North America, growing 1-2.5 feet (30-75 cm) tall from a thick, deep taproot. The stems and the lance-shaped to oblong leaves, 1-3 inches (2.5-8 cm) long, are covered in stiff, bristly hairs that give the plant a rough, grey-green look. In late spring and early summer it bears clusters of bright orange-yellow flowers at the stem tips, each a flat-faced tube about 0.5-0.75 inch (1.3-2 cm) wide, opening from coiled buds. Small, hard, white nutlets follow. The thick root yields a red-purple dye, the source of the name puccoon. L. caroliniense grows on dry, open sandy ground such as dunes, prairies, oak savannas, and pine barrens. It tolerates heat and drought through its deep root but is very difficult to transplant or divide because of that root, and it establishes slowly from seed.
Native Range
Native to eastern and central North America, from the Great Lakes and Ontario south to Florida and Texas, with concentrations on sandy soils. It grows in dunes, sand prairies, oak savannas, and pine barrens.Suggested Uses
Grown in sandy native plantings, prairie and savanna restorations, rock gardens, and dry, sunny borders. Its orange flowers suit low-water and pollinator gardens on lean soils. It works where deep sand and full sun limit other perennials.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height1' - 2'6"
Width/Spread8" - 1'4"
Bloom Information
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
grey-greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight