Description

Lithospermum erythrorhizon is a medicinal and economically valuable plant belonging to the Boraginaceae family. Roots from L. erythrorhizon have been used for centuries based on the antiviral and woundhealing properties produced from the bioactive compound shikonin and its derivatives.

Scientific classitication

Family: Boraginaceae

Genus: Lithospermum

Common Name

Zi Cao, red gromwell

Reference

Auber, R. P., Suttiyut, T., McCoy, R. M., Ghaste, M., Crook, J. W., Pendleton, A. L., Widhalm, J. R., & Wisecaver, J. H. (2020). Hybrid de novo genome assembly of red gromwell (Lithospermum erythrorhizon) reveals evolutionary insight into shikonin biosynthesis. Horticulture research, 7, 82.