This is an archived copy of this article, recovered after a server failure in January 2022.

Some links may be broken, and editing is disabled. We are working to bring back full functionality.

Scutellaria lateriflora
  • Virginian Skullcap

a perennial member of the Scutellaria genus in the family Labiatae.

Niche
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    The ecosystem niches for this plant are unknown. Do you know them? Click the edit button to add them!
Functions
  • None
    None
    There are no functions defined for this plant. Do you know of some? Click the edit button to add them!
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • no shade
    No shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid,neutral,alkaline
    Unknown
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Clay
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 7
    Zone 7
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Scutellaria lateriflora has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Edible uses

There are no edible uses listed for Scutellaria lateriflora.

Material uses

There are no material uses listed for Scutellaria lateriflora.

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

A commonly used herbal medicine, Virginian skullcap is a very effective nervine that has traditionally been used in the treatment of a wide range of nervous conditions. Its tonic and restorative properties help to support and nourish the nervous system, calming and relieving stress and anxiety[1][2][3][4]. Very little research has been carried out on this species, despite its long use in American and British herbal medicine[3]. Research is sorely needed, and may reveal more uses for this valuable herb[4].

The leaves are antispasmodic, slightly astringent, diuretic, nervine, sedative and strongly tonic[5][6][7][8]. They are harvested in early summer and dried for later use[5]. It is used in the treatment of various problems of the nervous system including epilepsy, insomnia, anxiety, delirium tremens, withdrawal from barbiturates and tranquillisers, and neuralgia[1][2][3]. An infusion of the plant has been used to promote suppressed menstruation, relieve breast pain and encourage expulsion of the placenta[9][4], it should not be given to pregnant women since it can induce a miscarriage[2]. This plant should be used with some caution since in excess it causes giddiness, stupor, confusion and twitching[2].

The plant was once believed of use in the treatment of rabies, though there is no evidence to support this[10][9].

Unknown part

Antispasmodic
Astringent
Diuretic
Emmenagogue
Miscellany
Nervine
Sedative
Tonic

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - sow in situ outdoors in late spring.

If there is only a small quantity of seed it is better to sow it in a pot in a cold frame in early spring. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the spring. Division in spring just before new growth begins. Very easy, larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found it best to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in a lightly shaded position in a cold frame, planting them out once they are well established in the summer.

Basal cuttings in early summer in a frame. Very easy. Harvest the shoots with plenty of underground stem when they are about 8 - 10cm above the ground. Pot them up into individual pots and keep them in light shade in a cold frame or greenhouse until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the summer.

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Scutellaria lateriflora. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Succeeds in a sunny position in any ordinary garden soil that does not dry out during the growing season[11]. Plants are not so long-lived when grown in rich soils[5]. Many of the plants grown under this name in gardens are in fact S. altissima[2]. It is important to ensure you have the correct plant if using it medicinally[2].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Scutellaria lateriflora. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Scutellaria lateriflora.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Scutellaria lateriflora
Genus
Scutellaria
Family
Labiatae
Imported References
Edible uses
Medicinal uses
[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10]
Material uses & Functions
Botanic
[12][13]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
7
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
no shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil Water Retention
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    None listed.
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    ?
    Herbaceous or Woody
    ?
    Life Cycle
    perennial
    Growth Rate
    ?
    Mature Size
    0.6 x 0.4 meters
    Fertility
    ?
    Pollinators
    Bees, Flies
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type
    hermaphrodite











    References

    1. ? 1.01.11.2 Foster. S. & Duke. J. A. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America. Houghton Mifflin Co. ISBN 0395467225 (1990-00-00)
    2. ? 2.02.12.22.32.42.52.6 Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. ISBN 0-7513-020-31 (1995-00-00)
    3. ? 3.03.13.23.3 Phillips. R. & Foy. N. Herbs Pan Books Ltd. London. ISBN 0-330-30725-8 (1990-00-00)
    4. ? 4.04.14.24.3 Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London ISBN 9-780751-303148 (1996-00-00)
    5. ? 5.05.15.25.3 Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 (1984-00-00)
    6. ? 6.06.1 Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books ISBN 0-553-23827-2 (1983-00-00)
    7. ? 7.07.1 Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim (1959-00-00)
    8. ? 8.08.1 Mills. S. Y. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism. ()
    9. ? 9.09.19.2 Weiner. M. A. Earth Medicine, Earth Food. Ballantine Books ISBN 0-449-90589-6 (1980-00-00)
    10. ? 10.010.1 Coffey. T. The History and Folklore of North American Wild Flowers. Facts on File. ISBN 0-8160-2624-6 (1993-00-00)
    11. ? Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
    12. ? Fernald. M. L. Gray's Manual of Botany. American Book Co. (1950-00-00)
    13. ? Britton. N. L. Brown. A. An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada Dover Publications. New York. ISBN 0-486-22642-5 (1970-00-00)


    Retrieved from "https://practicalplants.org/w/index.php?title=Scutellaria_lateriflora&oldid=80801"
    Facts about "Scutellaria lateriflora"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyLabiatae +
    Belongs to genusScutellaria +
    Has binomial nameScutellaria lateriflora +
    Has common nameVirginian Skullcap +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has fertility typeBees + and Flies +
    Has flowers of typeHermaphrodite +
    Has hardiness zone7 +
    Has lifecycle typePerennial +
    Has mature height0.6 +
    Has mature width0.4 +
    Has medicinal partUnknown part +
    Has medicinal useAntispasmodic +, Astringent +, Diuretic +, Emmenagogue +, Miscellany +, Nervine +, Sedative + and Tonic +
    Has search namescutellaria lateriflora + and virginian skullcap +
    Has shade toleranceNo shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
    Has soil texture preferenceSandy +, Loamy + and Clay +
    Has sun preferenceFull sun +
    Has taxonomic rankSpecies +
    Has taxonomy nameScutellaria lateriflora +
    Has water requirementsmoderate +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    PFAF cultivation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF edible use notes migratedYes +
    PFAF material use notes migratedYes +
    PFAF medicinal use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF propagation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF toxicity notes migratedYes +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
    Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +
    Has subobjectThis property is a special property in this wiki.Scutellaria lateriflora +, Scutellaria lateriflora +, Scutellaria lateriflora +, Scutellaria lateriflora +, Scutellaria lateriflora +, Scutellaria lateriflora +, Scutellaria lateriflora + and Scutellaria lateriflora +