Scutellaria galericulata (Marsh Skullcap)
Also known as: | Common Skullcap |
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Genus: | Scutellaria |
Family: | Lamiaceae (Mint) |
Life cycle: | perennial |
Origin: | native |
Habitat: | part shade, sun; moist to wet soil; meadows, floodplains, shores, marshes, swamps, bogs, fens, floating mats |
Bloom season: | June - August |
Plant height: | 12 to 30 inches |
Wetland Indicator Status: | GP: OBL MW: OBL NCNE: OBL |
MN county distribution (click map to enlarge): | |
National distribution (click map to enlarge): |
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Detailed Information
Flower:
Flowers are tubular, irregular trumpet shaped, ½ to ¾ inch (1 to 2 cm) long, borne in pairs from opposite leaf axils along the stem. Petals are blue to violet, covered with fine hairs with a broad, wavy lower lip patterned with blue dots against a white throat. The upper lip forms a rounded hood over the mouth of the tube. Flowers typically bloom 2 to 3 pairs at a time from axils a bit below the tip of a stem. The calyx holding the flower has a small ridge-like protuberance at the top.
Leaves and stems:
Leaves are ¾ to 2¼ inches (2 to 6 cm) long, ¼ to ¾ inch wide, opposite, lance-like to more oval and oblong, toothed with rounded or bluntly pointed teeth, veiny, somewhat glossy on the upper surface with soft short hairs on the underside, and little or no leaf stalk. Stems are square with fine rough hairs on the angles. Branches are many, weak but erect, often supported by surrounding vegetation.
Fruit:
Fruit is a spherical cluster of 4 brown nutlets that forms inside the persistent calyx.
Notes:
Marsh skullcap is a common species of wetlands, lakeshores and riverways throughout Minnesota but not always apparent. The progression of seasonal growth and blooming branches are intertwined with other wetland species making them difficult to spot (and more difficult to photograph!). Another skullcap found in the same habitat is Mad-dog Skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora), which has racemes of flowers about half the size and without the blue-spotted lower lip, and with broader leaves.
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More photos
Photos by K. Chayka taken in Anoka County.
Comments
Have you seen this plant in Minnesota, or have any other comments about it?
on: 2013-08-08 06:19:58
Found on the edge of a boggy area in northeastern Itasca County.
on: 2014-06-29 17:20:03
I've been wondering what this was. It popped up in a small bog garden I made in my yard. The same plant comes back every year but has not spread at all.
on: 2015-07-12 21:22:00
found among grasses in a swampy area. the flowers were very similar, as were the leaf shape, but the leaf texture was smoother - deep long veins but not the many small defined areas.
on: 2015-08-22 09:17:52
Found on 8-8-15 on guided tour of area
on: 2019-06-25 22:15:05
Across from the Sherburne Wildlife Refuge. It popped up last year in my front door flower bed, I let it seed and now my bed is covered. Love them. June 2019
on: 2020-07-12 17:53:07
There were a few noticeable at the edge of the boardwalk. Identified by SEEK.
on: 2022-06-26 20:15:20
Southeast Isanti county along the edge of a pond on our property. First time we've spotted it!
on: 2022-08-12 15:26:23
First time seeing this on our shoreline.