Skullcap - Perennial Wildflower
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Perennial Flowers: Scutellaria, Helmet Flower, Rough Skullcap
Skullcap or Scutellaria is a perennial herb that is a member of the mint family. It has clusters of beautiful blue flowers and interesting skull cap (or helmet) shaped seed pods. Different varieties live all over the United States, but here in Louisiana only Rough Skullcap, Scutellaria integrefolia is native.
Skullcap is drought tolerant and its striking blue flowers make it a pleasing addition to a natural or fern garden. The blue flowers attract pollinators.
Contents at a Glance
Skullcaps are drought tolerant native perennials with striking clusters of blue flowers.
Rough Skullcap, Helmet Flower
Scutellaria integrifolia
Rough Skullcap, Scutellaria integrifolia by naturegirl7
Description
Rough Skullcap, Scutellaria integrifolia is a blue flowering perennial that grows 1-2 feet tall. It is usually branched near the base. The stem is square and covered with fine hairs. The bluish-lavender flowers are 2-lipped. The seed pods look like helmets and after they disperse their small black seeds, look like skull caps.
Skullcap grows in full sun to part shade in clearings, along the edges of woods and in pine lands. The blue flowers bloom from March to May.
Hoary Skullcap Seeds
Skullcap is easy to start from seed.
1 Oz Hoary Skullcap (Scutellaria incana) Bulk Wildflower Seeds
Amazon Price: $45.60 (as of 05/31/2012)
How to grow
Plant in well drained soil in sun or part shade.
Propagate by seed or root division in spring or fall. Seeds can be collected by clipping the seed pod stem off when the pods turn brown, but before they split open. Store in a paper bag inside in a cool, dry place.
Skullcap Seedpods
Scutellaria integrifolia
Wildflowers of Mississippi
Wildflowers of Mississippi is a top notch guide book for southern wildflowers. It has excellent color pictures and good descriptions for many native plants.
Wildflowers of Mississippi
Amazon Price: $25.29 (as of 05/31/2012)
Properties and Uses
Skullcap, Scutellaria integrifolia by naturegirl7
Many species of Scutellaria were used in herbal remedies, even though skullcaps do not have the mint like aroma like other members of the mint family. However, Tull reports that the bitter skullcaps (Scutellaria species) are toxic, so it is best to stick with the aromatic members of the mint family, like monarda, for teas.
Dark Blue Skullcap
I believe that this dark blue Skullcap is Scutellaria incana, also known as Downy or Hoary Skullcap (or a cultivar). Hoary Skullcap is native to the southeastern United States, but not Louisiana.
It grows well here, though. I started with one plant and now I have them growing in several places in the yard. Scutellaria incana reseeds readily and it is very easy to transplant the seedlings. It likes to grow in part shade, with a few hours of morning sun.
Gardening with Native Plants of the South
This is one of the best books about gardening with native plants in the south. I use my copy all the time.
Gardening with Native Plants of the South
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More Perennial Wildflowers
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jadehorseshoe
Jan 3, 2012 @ 6:07 pm | delete
- Goregous Work!
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ajsanders100
Aug 12, 2011 @ 10:06 am | delete
- Awsome pictures on your website! They fit each of your contents!
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eclecticeducation
Aug 10, 2011 @ 10:55 am | delete
- Beautiful lens! :)
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About Gardener Naturegirl7
Links to More About Wildflowers
Scutellaria integrifolia (Helmet flower) | NPIN
Picture and description of Helmet flower at Lady B more...0 points
by naturegirl7
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