Scutellaria galericulata L.
Common Skullcap
Common skullcap, also called marsh skullcap, is a slender native perennial in the mint family, with upright square stems usually 15–50cm tall and pairs of narrow, gently toothed leaves. From June to September it produces distinctive blue-violet, two-lipped tubular flowers, carried in pairs in the leaf axils and characteristically all turned to one side of the stem rather than gathered in a terminal spike.
About
Common skullcap, also called marsh skullcap, is a slender native perennial in the mint family, with upright square stems usually 15–50cm tall and pairs of narrow, gently toothed leaves. From June to September it produces distinctive blue-violet, two-lipped tubular flowers, carried in pairs in the leaf axils and characteristically all turned to one side of the stem rather than gathered in a terminal spike. The flower's hooded shape and the small ridge on the calyx give the genus its name.
It is a wetland plant, favouring damp, sunny to lightly shaded ground along the edges of rivers, ponds, ditches, fens, marshes and wet meadows on moist, fertile soils. The flowers are pollinated mainly by bees. Spreading quietly by short runners, it suits naturalistic pond margins, bog gardens and wetland or marginal seed mixes where a refined, long-flowering native is wanted.
Also known as
Hooded Skullcap · Marsh Scullcap · Marsh Skullcap · Skullcap · common scullcap
Synonyms
Cassida galericulata · Cassida major · Scutellaria adamsii · Scutellaria epilobiifolia · Scutellaria epilobiifolia albiflora · Scutellaria epilobiifolia rosea · Scutellaria galericulata albiflora · Scutellaria galericulata epilobiifolia · Scutellaria galericulata glaberrima · Scutellaria galericulata humilis · Scutellaria galericulata rosea · Scutellaria galericulata uberrima
Beta — under active development. This catalogue is still being built and accuracy-checked. The information here (including plant identifications, British native status, soil and sun/shade preferences) is provided in good faith for general guidance only and may contain errors or omissions. It must not be relied upon on its own — please confirm details with us before making planting, specification, foraging or purchasing decisions, and never eat or medicinally use any plant based on this catalogue alone, as some species are toxic. To the extent permitted by law, Phoenix Amenity Supplies accepts no liability for any loss arising from use of this information.