The genus is distributed nearly worldwide, but most are native to the Americas and the center of diversity is in the southwestern United States and Mexico.

[3][4][6][7] Lithospermum leaves are eaten by the caterpillars of certain Lepidoptera, such as the moth Ethmia pusiella which has been recorded on L. officinale.

The dried root of Lithospermum erythrorhizon is a Chinese herbal medicine with various antiviral and biological activities, including inhibition of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1).

In southwestern North America, a species of this genus was used as a contraceptive by the Shoshone Native American tribe.

nov. shows similarities in size, shape, attachment and epidermal cell patterns to extant Lithospermum species.