Lithospermum incisum
narrowleaf puccoon
Overview
Lithospermum incisum, narrowleaf or fringed puccoon, is an herbaceous perennial in the borage family, growing 6-16 inches (15-40 cm) tall from a deep, woody taproot. Several upright, hairy stems carry narrow, gray-green leaves 1-2 inches (2.5-5 cm) long. In spring it bears clusters of bright yellow, trumpet-shaped flowers about 1 inch (2.5 cm) long, the five spreading lobes finely fringed or toothed at their edges. These spring flowers are largely sterile; later in summer the plant produces small, closed, self-pollinating flowers that set most of the seed, which ripens into hard, shiny white nutlets. It grows on dry prairies, plains, rocky slopes, and open ground across much of central and western North America. The deep root makes it drought-tolerant but also hard to transplant or divide. L. incisum is grown in dry native and prairie plantings and rock gardens, though it is slow to establish and seldom offered in the nursery trade.
Native Range
Lithospermum incisum is native to central and western North America, from the Canadian prairies south through the Great Plains to Texas and into northern Mexico. It grows on dry prairies, plains, sandy or rocky slopes, and open woodland. It is widespread across the interior grasslands.Suggested Uses
Narrowleaf puccoon is grown in dry prairie restorations, rock gardens, gravel gardens, and native plantings. Its spring flowers draw bees and other early pollinators. It grows on sunny, low-water sites where many other plants struggle.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height6" - 1'4"
Width/Spread6" - 1'
Colors
Bloom Information
The yellow flowers open in spring, roughly April through June. A second round of small, closed, self-pollinating flowers forms in summer and produces most of the seed. The white nutlets ripen by late summer.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
Gray-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