Glandora oleifolia

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Glandora oleifolia
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Boraginales
Family: Boraginaceae
Genus: Glandora
Species:
G. oleifolia
Binomial name
Glandora oleifolia

Glandora oleifolia (Lapeyr.) D.C.Thomas,[1] the olive-leaved gromwell (syn. Lithodora oleifolia, 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.[2]

Description[edit]

Glandora 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.[3]

Cultivation[edit]

Glandora 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[4][5]

Taxonomy[edit]

Its former name in 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.[6]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Glandora oleifolia (Lapeyr.) D.C.Thomas". Plants of the World Online. Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 23 July 2023.
  2. ^ Encyclopaedia: alpine garden society
  3. ^ RHS A-Z encyclopedia of garden plants. United Kingdom: Dorling Kindersley. 2008. p. 1136. ISBN 978-1405332965.
  4. ^ "RHS Plant Selector - Lithodora oleifolia". Retrieved 5 March 2021.
  5. ^ "AGM Plants - Ornamental" (PDF). Royal Horticultural Society. July 2017. p. 61. Retrieved 25 March 2018.
  6. ^ Coombes, Allen J. (2012). The A to Z of plant names. USA: Timber Press. pp. 312. ISBN 9781604691962.