XMarbleseed (Onosmodium molle ssp. occidentale)X
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Western Marbleseed -or- False Gromwell (Onosmodium molle ssp. occidentale), family Boraginaceae (Borage)
Thanks to Barbara Fahey, Extension Agent for the Colorado State University Extension in Jefferson County, for her identification of this specimen. We are declaring this as ssp. occidentale based on information in Weber and Wittmann's COLORADO FLORA, EASTERN SLOPE. It shows one species of Onosmodium in Colorado; molle ssp. occidentale. The genus is quite small as is with only 4 species. The species molle is also known as bejariense.
There are 4 varieties of molle according to the USDA Plant Database; var. bejariense - var. occidentale - var. hispidissimum, and var. subsetosum.
As with most members of the Borage famly, the hairs of the plants can cause skin irritations such as rashes and itching. This is especially true with plants used in landscapes where a greater chance of frequent contact with the plants may occur. All told there are about 2,000 species in the Borage family worldwide. This species is endangered in Kentucky and threatened in Tennessee.
USES: The ways native americans used plants is always interesting and this species is no exception. Cheyenne (Orthopedic Aid) - Smashed leaves and stems (and sometimes mixed with grease) rubbed on back for lumbago. (Dermatological Aid) Pulverized leaves and stems mixed with grease and rubbed on numb skin. The Chippewa made use of the seeds of var. hispidissimum as a love charm and to attract money and worldly goods.
This species was mis-identified in James Ells book, Rocky Mountain Flora. The plants produce hard, shiny, white nutlets (hence the name marbleseed) that remain intact at maturity. A nice image of the seeds is here. Click to enlarge. Onosmodium is native to the United States.
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Plant location: Sighted on June 9, 2009 in a Boulder County (Colorado) Open Space. This species is found in the following United States: AL, AR, CO, GA, IA, IL, KS, KY, LA, MN, MO, MS, MT, ND, NE, NM, OK, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WI, WY. Plant -
Bloom season: June and July, at least in Colorado. In the state of Kansas they have been found blooming in May.
The plants are foothills dwellers. Common habitats include gulches, meadows, dry, sandy or gravelly prairies, pastures and open woods, most abundant on hillsides in alkaline soils.Foliage -
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