Hoary Puccoon (Lithospermum canescens)

Hoary Puccoon is a favorite springtime perennial found in glades, prairies, and savannas. The yellow-orange flowers attract a number of bees, butterflies, and other insects. The nomenclature of this plant can tell you several things. 'Hoary' refers to the species name 'canescens' which indicates that the leaves have a gray/white cast that is caused by light reflecting off tiny grayish hairs. 'Puccoon' is a Native American term that refers to plants with pigments that can be used to manufacture dyes. 'Lithospermum' is the genus name and it refers to the hard-as-stone seeds.