Scrophularia lanceolata (Lance-leaf Figwort)
| Also known as: | Early Figwort, Hare Figwort |
|---|---|
| Genus: | Scrophularia |
| Family: | Scrophulariaceae (Figwort) |
| Life cycle: | perennial |
| Origin: | native |
| Habitat: | part shade, sun; open woods, thickets, roadsides, railroads, open fields |
| Bloom season: | June - July |
| Plant height: | 2 to 6 feet |
| Wetland Indicator Status: | GP: FAC MW: FACU NCNE: FACU |
| MN county distribution (click map to enlarge): |  |
| National distribution (click map to enlarge): |  |
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Detailed Information
Flower: 
![[photo of flowers]](/udata/r9ndp23q/pd/scrophularia-lanceolata-13-12.jpg)
Short, open, branching clusters oppositely attached on the upper stem. Flowers are ¼ to 1/3 inch long, about ¼ inch across, tubular with a round base and 5 rounded lobes. The 2 upper lobes are longest, extend straight out and are shiny reddish brown to reddish green on the outside. A lower lobe folds down and is typically green. 4 stout, yellow stamens and a single slender, blunt-tipped style poke out of the mouth near the lower lobe, and a sterile stamen hugs the inside of the upper lobes. The sterile stamen is green with a fan-shaped tip, usually wider than long.
![[photo of flower stalk hairs, sepals and upper lobes]](/udata/r9ndp23q/pd/scrophularia-lanceolata-13-8.jpg)
Flower stalks are variously covered in minute glandular hairs. Sepals have 5 triangular lobes.
Leaves and stem:
![[photo of leaves]](/udata/r9ndp23q/other/scrophularia-lanceolata-early-figwort-100_7894.jpg)
Leaves are up to 8 inches long and 3 inches wide, with a sharply pointed tip, sharp coarse teeth, and stalks up to 1¼ inch long that are less than 1/3 the length of the leaf blade and are narrowly winged. The base of the leaf is straight, slightly tapering, or broadly rounded. Attachment is opposite and there are often smaller leaves in the axils.
![[photo of stem]](/udata/r9ndp23q/other/scrophularia-lanceolata-early-figwort_0530_164630.jpg)
The stem is erect, stout, hairless to minutely hairy, and 4-sided with the sides flat or shallowly grooved.
Fruit:
![[photo of fruit]](/udata/r9ndp23q/other/scrophularia-lanceolata-early-figwort_0729_123954.jpg)
Fruit is a dull brown, teardrop-shaped capsule up to about 1/3 inch long. Inside are numerous tiny black seeds. When ripe the capsule splits in 2.
Notes:
Lance-leaf Figwort isn't a very showy flower, but pollinators love it. Before it flowers the leaves looks similar to Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica), but there are no stinging hairs on the leaves. The flowers are much like the related Maryland Figwort (Scrophularia marilandica), which has leaves that often have heart-shaped bases and longer stalks (to 2 inches), the sterile stamen in the flower is purple with a narrow tip, usually longer than wide, and the stem is more deeply grooved on the sides.
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More photos
Lance-leaf Figwort plants
early growth
more plants
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more flowersPhotos by K. Chayka taken in Ramsey County. Other photos courtesy Peter M. Dziuk.
Comments
Have you seen this plant in Minnesota, or have any other comments about it?
on: 2010-06-20 19:33:35
2nd mystery plant of the year....about 3 stands of this, did not notice these last year.
on: 2011-07-13 09:49:22
Found this plant growing near a building on our old farmstead about three years ago. It has come back from the roots every year since but I haven't found anymore growing in the area. The flowers attract wasps but I haven't seen bees on it.
on: 2012-05-20 11:42:39
This is on city land, Twin Parks. It is a piece of land that is naturally a drainage to Lake Minnetonka. It was bulldozed and flattened with large drainage pipe underneath. Since the disturbance in the land, garlic mustard, stinging nettle, and burdock are taking over. Even so there is an amazing diversity in this unprotected spot.
on: 2014-06-11 21:38:42
One plant growing in my meadow. 5' 4" tall
on: 2015-06-08 16:11:37
Found flowering in the Mallard Oaks (savanna) while removing buckthorn today. Just one or two plants.
on: 2015-09-18 13:17:26
Flowering 6-12-2015. Single plant, 4.5 ft tall in partial shade of Burr Oak.
on: 2017-06-06 09:45:07
Was surprised by this find in an area that is near a wetland in Villa Park. Blooming now - two plants. I hope it spreads.
on: 2017-06-11 03:42:37
Several of these plants are in bloom right now in this location.
on: 2017-06-14 15:21:27
Have also heard this called "American Figwort"
on: 2017-07-01 10:19:27
Bumble bees are trolling this plant on the south side of my home. They are coming and going constantly. The small flowers must have lots of nectar!
on: 2017-09-02 16:51:53
Near Pequawyan Lake.
on: 2019-01-25 11:51:39
One plant appeared in a garden. When seen as a solo example it has a fine architectural shape. The flowers seem almost bizarre
on: 2020-06-07 09:26:15
Fortunately, one plant on the group had just started flowering, or I'd have assumed it was nettles! ( good disguise! ). This was in a small floodplain riverine area about 1 mile west of Greenleaf Lake. I've not seen this MN before, so exciting for me. I hope to plant some in my wetland edge informal "garden" now, seeing as it attracts pollinators.
on: 2020-06-14 14:39:47
I just found this lone plant in my yard today. My daughter identified it with an app as Lance-leafed Figwort. It stands about 5 1/2 ft tall and its flowers are beginning to open.
on: 2021-06-01 22:04:45
Have a lone plant in the midst of hosta plants under the deck over hang that is in the shade 99% of the time. It seems to be doing fine as it is over 4 feet tall.
on: 2021-06-21 16:44:28
I've never seen this in our woods before, but it's suddenly everywhere. It seems to like the same conditions as white snakeroot, as I see the two growing in clumps together fairly frequently.
on: 2021-07-01 10:20:17
I have a few plants growing in my hosta shade garden. I did not plant it- just appeared. It is near a large clump of Joe Pye Weed and Monarch Butterflies LOVE it!
on: 2021-07-01 10:50:56
Marlys, I have figwort in my garden and it is constantly covered with bees and wasps. Pollinator magnet!
on: 2022-08-26 12:33:19
Grows well in unmowed strip alongside our gravel lane. We live near the Sunrise River between North Branch and Lindstrom.
on: 2023-05-22 20:00:53
Just discoverd one of these growing in my front yard in Minnetonka. It's nice when a native appears out of nowhere when we are besiged with so many invasives.
on: 2023-06-18 16:00:07
Two of these showed up in our garden. They send up stalks full of tiny flowers that tower above nearby plants and are favorite stops for hummingbirds.
on: 2023-07-09 11:41:55
I just saw this mystery plant in a windbreak alongside a pasture fence. We're right on the Washington/Chisago County line. Very interesting to identify it.
on: 2024-03-10 12:45:15
I would like to plant Scrophularia lanceolata in our Loring Greenway garden. Can't seem to find stores selling seeds.
on: 2024-03-10 13:08:10
Gay, local retailers aren't likely to carry this so check online native plant nurseries such as Prairie Moon.