Scutellaria integrifolia
Skullcap
- Family: Lamiaceae
- Form: Herbaceous, erect perennial wildflower branching near the base reaches 1-2 feet in height and width. Spreads freely seed to create massing effect.
- Leaves: Simple, opposite, non-aromatic pubescent leaves are ovate and serrate reaching approximately one inch long near the base while upper leaves are much longer and lanceolate with entire margins. Leaves are bright green above and dull green below with prominent veins on the undersides.
- Stem/Bark: Square green stems are pubescent, hollow and turn purplish near the base or in high sun conditions.
- Flower: Attractive ½ inch, lavender, bilabiate flowers are pubescent and born on terminal and axillary bracteate racemes. Lower lips are single lobed with two white, elongated markings. Each flower is also subtended by a small, pubescent, lanceolate bract.
- Fruit: Green and pubescent turning light brown and papery when ripe. It consists of two fused portions; the lower portion appears flat and almost spathe-like while the upper portion is much larger, cup shaped and almost looks like a little hat. When ripe, the upper "hat" readily separates from the bottom "spathe" scattering multiple small, round, black seeds that germinate readily.
- Comments: This species is also sometimes referred to by its synonyms, Scutellaria hyssopifolia var. hispida and Scutellaria integrifolia subsp. hispida. Two closely related species are also native to Florida; Scutellaria arenicola, Scrub Skullcap, is extremely similar but grows in drier conditions and S. havenensis is an almost dwarf, spreading species that is limited to the Southernmost portions of the state.
- Additional Resources:
Wikipedia Link
Florida Native Plant Society
