Blue Skullcap

(Scutellaria lateriflora)

Blue Skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora)

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Estimated Native Range
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Summary

Scutellaria lateriflora, commonly known as Blue Skullcap, is a deciduous perennial herb native to wetland margins, meadows, and moist woods in the Eastern, Central, and Northwestern USA, as well as adjacent regions of Canada. It typically grows 60–80 cm (24–31 inches) tall and is a member of the mint family, Lamiaceae. Blue Skullcap has square stems and bears tiny, tubular blue flowers, each just under 1 cm (0.4 inches) long, from mid to late summer. The flowers are arranged in racemes and are more prolific along the side branches than at the top of the main stem. Its foliage is lanceolate and coarsely toothed, providing a textured appearance even when not in bloom.

Blue Skullcap is valued for its medicinal properties and is often used in traditional herbal remedies. It thrives in full sun to part shade and prefers consistently moist, well-drained soils. While it is not drought-tolerant, it can adapt to various soil types. This plant is suitable for naturalistic plantings in water gardens, wet meadows, or as part of a border in a cottage garden. It is also a good choice for rain gardens due to its water requirements. Gardeners should be aware that it can spread by rhizomes and self-seeding, potentially becoming aggressive in ideal conditions.CC BY-SA 4.0

Plant Description

  • Plant Type: Herb
  • Height: 2-3 feet
  • Width: 1.5-2.5 feet
  • Growth Rate: Moderate
  • Flower Color: Blue
  • Flowering Season: Summer, Fall
  • Leaf Retention: Deciduous

Growth Requirements

  • Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
  • Water: Medium, High
  • Drainage: Medium

Common Uses

Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Butterfly Garden, Deer Resistant, Hummingbird Garden, Low Maintenance, Rabbit Resistant, Water Garden

Natural Habitat

Wetland margins, meadows, and moist woods

Other Names

Common Names: Scullcap , Mad-Dog Scullcap , Mad-Dog Skullcap , Madweed , Quaker Bonnet , Side-Flowering Skullcap , Scutellaire Latériflore , Scutellaire À Fleurs Latérales , Scutellaire À Petites Fleurs , Indianfrossört , Mad Dog Skullcap

Scientific Names: Scutellaria lateriflora , Scutellaria lateriflora var. lateriflora , Scutellaria lateriflora f. albiflora , Scutellaria lateriflora var. grohii , Scutellaria polybotrya , Scutellaria lateriflora f. rhodantha , Scutellaria lateriflora var. axillaris , Scutellaria lateriflora var. albiflora , Cassida lateriflora , Scutellaria lateriflora f. lateriflora

GBIF Accepted Name: Scutellaria lateriflora L.