Scutellaria galericulata (common skullcap)

Scutellaria galericulata L.

Scutellaria galericulata L. ssp. pubescens (Benth.) Á. Löve & D. Löve

Scutellaria epilobiifolia A. Ham.

Scutellaria galericulata L. var. epilobiifolia (A. Ham.) Jordal

Scutellaria galericulata L. var. pubescens Benth.

Scutellaria galericulata L. ssp. pubescens (Benth.) A. Löve & D. Löve

Common skullcap, marsh skullcap, hooded skullcap

Kingdom	Plantae	Plants, but not fungi, lichens, or algae
Subkingdom	Tracheobionta	Vascular plants—plants with a “circulatory system” for delivering water and nutrients
Division	Magnoliophyta	Flowering plants, also known as angiosperms
Class	Magnoliopsida	Dicotyledons—plants with two initial seed leaves
Subclass	Asteridae	A large class that encompasses asters
Order	Lamiales	Aromatic herbs and shrubs, including lavender, lilac, olive, jasmine, ash, teak, snapdragon, sesame, psyllium, garden sage, mint, basil, and rosemary
Family	Lamiaceae	Mint family
Genus	Scutellaria	From the Latin scutella, “a small dish, tray or platter,” and referring to the sepals which appear this way during the fruiting period
Species	galericulata	With a small cap or hat, from the Latin galea, “a helmet”

About plant names...

Marsh skullcap is native to Europe, Asia, and much of North America. The species name, galericulata, means “hooded”—a reference to the hooded shape of the flowers.

Identification: These perennials are 8-18" (20-45 cm) in height, rarely reaching 31" (80 cm). They favor wet, marshy areas. Leaves are in opposite pairs, with each leaf ⅜-1¾" (1-5 cm) × ⅛-¾" (3-20 mm). Leaves have small, widely spaced teeth. Flowers are blue to purplish, tubular, ⅜-¾" (1-2 cm) long and ⅛-¼" (5-7 mm) around, with a distinctive shape. Flowers appear from June to September. Fruits are small brown warty nutlets.

Medical: This plant is rarely used as a substitute for Scutellaria lateriflora, as an anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, or sleep aid. Many sources, including us, don’t recommend this practice though, because the safety of this species is unconfirmed; because there are over 300 related species, some dangerous; and because negative symptoms have been reported for this one.

Online References:

Scutellaria galericulata at Alaskawildflowers.us

Scutellaria galericulata at the Kew Royal Botanic Gardens

Scutellaria galericulata at Skye Flora

Scutellaria galericulata on Wildflowers, Ferns & Trees of Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, and Utah

Scutellaria galericulata at Minnesota Wildflowers

7/17/2010 · Mackworth Island, Falmouth, ME
≈ 9 × 14" (23 × 35 cm) ID is uncertain

7/17/2010 · Mackworth Island, Falmouth, ME
≈ 2 × 1½" (5.1 × 3.8 cm) ID is uncertain

Scutellaria galericulata description by Thomas H. Kent, last updated 13 Sep 2020.

7/17/2010 · Mackworth Island, Falmouth, ME
≈ 2 × 2" (5.8 × 5.3 cm) ID is uncertain

7/17/2010 · Mackworth Island, Falmouth, ME
≈ 3½ × 5" (9.2 × 13 cm) ID is uncertain

7/17/2010 · Mackworth Island, Falmouth, ME
≈ 8 × 12" (20 × 31 cm) ID is uncertain

Range:

About this map...