The common name of this prairie plant comes from the presence of tiny hairs that give it a whitish appearance. Indigenous peoples once used Hoary Puccoon as a source of reddish dye used for colouring pottery, baskets, and personal ornaments. The flowers have no noticeable scent, but do provide nectar for long-tongued butterflies and bees in the spring time.

Flower Colour:

• Yellow

Flowering Season:

• Spring
• Summer

Flowering Months:

• April
• June
• May

Canadian Rarity Status:

Not rare. Listed as “sensitive” in Ontario.

Physical Appearance:

This perennial plant has a stout taproot and grows to 40 cm tall. Its 5-9, erect, occasionally branched stems are covered in white hairs. The alternate leaves are bright green, hairy and oval-shaped with pointed tips. Flowers are small and tube-shaped, with five rounded lobes extending outwards. These occur in 1-3 dense, curving clusters, in which the endmost flower blooms first. Fruits are small yellowish-white nuts, each containing a single seed.

Similar Species:

Narrow-leaved Puccoon (Lithospermum incisum Lehm.)

Gardening Notes:

Seeds and/or plants may be available from greenhouses and seed supply companies specializing in native plants. Hoary Puccoon is difficult to germinate from seed, but may be easier from transplants.

Canadian Distribution:

• Manitoba
• Ontario
• Saskatchewan

Prairie Types:

• Mixed Grass Prairie
• Tall Grass Prairie

Habitats:

• Limestone Glades
• Open Woodlands
• Prairies
• Savannahs

Moisture Conditions:

• Dry

Light Preference:

• Part Shade

Soil Preference:

• Sand