Downy Skullcap Scutellaria incana
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- skoot-ul-AIR-ee-uh in-KAN-nuh
- Description
-
Downy skullcap is a native perennial wildflower in the Lamiaceae (mint) family. Found growing in shady dry forests and open woodlands, and along slopes and streambanks. The square stems are covered with fine white hairs and small purplish-blue flowers bloom in loose racemes in summer. The genus name comes from the Latin word scutella meaning a small dish or saucer. These plants have bitter-tasting leaves so are usually ignored by deer and rabbits.
It prefers moderate moisture in well-drained soil but tolerates sandy, clay, and poor soils. It grows in dry woods or clearings. This plant is tolerant of heat and drought.
This plant was selected as the 2014 NC Wildflower of the Year, a program managed by the North Carolina Botanical Garden with some financial support from the Garden Club of North Carolina.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious problems.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Scutellaria incana var. punctata
- Scutellaria incana var. punctata
- Scutellaria incana var. punctata
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- Scutellaria incana var. punctata
- Scutellaria incana var. punctata
- Scutellaria incana var. punctata
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Scutellaria
- Species:
- incana
- Family:
- Lamiaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- North Central & Eastern U.S.A
- Wildlife Value:
- Larval host to moths. Bees and butterflies visit the flowers
- Play Value:
- Attracts Pollinators
- Wildlife Food Source
- Wildlife Larval Host
- Dimensions:
- Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 6 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Native Plant
- Wildflower
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Sand
- Shallow Rocky
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Description:
- The 2 parted capsule contains nutlets. The top portion falls off to release seeds while the scoop section stays on the plant. Fruits are available August-October.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Blue
- Purple/Lavender
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Raceme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Lipped
- Tubular
- Flower Petals:
- 2-3 rays/petals
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Purplish-blue flowers in loose racemes up to 6 inches long. Individual flowers are 3/4 inch long, 2-lipped with the upper lip hooded and the lower with a white patch near the throat. Flowers bloom July-August.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- White
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Crenate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- The green ovate leaves are covered with minute whitish hairs on the undersides. Margins are crenate. They grow up to 3 inches long and 1.5 inches across.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Cross Section:
- Square
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- Square stem covered with fine white hairs
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Meadow
- Naturalized Area
- Slope/Bank
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Cottage Garden
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- English Garden
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Small groups
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Moths
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought
- Dry Soil
- Rabbits
