Puccoon

Puccoon is a common name assigned to several North American plants in the genus Lithospermum, within the family Boraginaceae. The species most often linked to this name include hoary puccoon (Lithospermum canescens), Carolina puccoon (Lithospermum carolinianum), and narrow-leaved puccoon (Lithospermum incisum). These are herbaceous perennials native to prairies, woodlands, and rocky slopes across parts of North America, typically favoring dry or well-drained soils.

Description and habitat: Puccoon plants have rough, hairy leaves and a sturdy, often branching habit. They produce small tubular flowers that are yellow to orange, arranged in loose inflorescences during spring to early summer. The roots are thick and tuberous, historically valued for dyeing rather than culinary or ornamental uses.

Uses: Puccoon roots have long been used as a source of yellow dye for textiles, leather, and other fibers. Indigenous peoples and early European settlers utilized the root pigment, often with mordants to achieve lasting color. While of ethnobotanical interest, puccoon is not common in modern commercial dyeing.

Toxicity and cautions: The roots contain bioactive compounds and can be irritating if handled or ingested. They are not regarded as edible and should be handled with care, especially around children and animals.

Ecology: The plants attract pollinators, particularly bees, and, like other Lithospermum species, produce a dry fruit capsule as part of their reproductive cycle. Puccoon remains notable primarily for its historical dye use and its role in native prairie and woodland plant communities.