Scutellaria (Lamiaceae)

from $10.00

There are as many as 300 species of scutellaria or skullcap with worldwide distribution. The Latin word ‘scutella’ means little dish, referring to the shape of the calyx. The common name ‘skullcap’ is another reference to the shape of the flower. We continue to mine this genus as there are many garden worthy species, well known medicinals, and some sweet little rock garden plants. Currently we carry three fairly well known species.

S. baicalensis - A bushy perennial with decumbent stems. Bears blue flowers along one side of the stem over a long period. Spreading habit to 3’ wide. Traditional Chinese medicinal.

S. incana - Hoary skullcap. An eastern North American native. Broad basal leaves and un branching stem with blue-purple flowers. Seed pods make a striking display. A wonderful native garden plant.

S. laterifolia - Known as Mad-Dog skullcap. Native to Eastern US. Not particularly showy. A well known and safe nerve tonic.

S. pontica - Turkish skullcap. One of the lowest growing. Nice creeping ground cover in a rock garden. Likes a sunny location.

Baicalensis sold in gallon pots. Incana, pontica and laterifolia in deep 4” pots.


species 'Cultivar':

There are as many as 300 species of scutellaria or skullcap with worldwide distribution. The Latin word ‘scutella’ means little dish, referring to the shape of the calyx. The common name ‘skullcap’ is another reference to the shape of the flower. We continue to mine this genus as there are many garden worthy species, well known medicinals, and some sweet little rock garden plants. Currently we carry three fairly well known species.

S. baicalensis - A bushy perennial with decumbent stems. Bears blue flowers along one side of the stem over a long period. Spreading habit to 3’ wide. Traditional Chinese medicinal.

S. incana - Hoary skullcap. An eastern North American native. Broad basal leaves and un branching stem with blue-purple flowers. Seed pods make a striking display. A wonderful native garden plant.

S. laterifolia - Known as Mad-Dog skullcap. Native to Eastern US. Not particularly showy. A well known and safe nerve tonic.

S. pontica - Turkish skullcap. One of the lowest growing. Nice creeping ground cover in a rock garden. Likes a sunny location.

Baicalensis sold in gallon pots. Incana, pontica and laterifolia in deep 4” pots.


Our Selections

S. Baikelensis - An Asian species from the Chinese medicinal tradition. Low growing with purple, vetch-like flowers. A nice perennial garden plant.

S. Latereifolia - ‘Mad Dog skullcap’ is a North American native. Not particularly showy. A traditional nerving tonic.

S. incana - Hoary skullcap is another North American native. It grows 3’ tall with broad basal leaves and unbranched stem. Purple/ blue flowers form in a dense raceme. The dried seed pods are striking. A choice native.