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Narrowleaf Skullcap, Small-flowered Skullcap - Scutellaria angustifolia


Family: Lamiaceae - Mint family Genus Common Name: Skullcap Native Status: NativePerennial Herb
Scutellaria angustifolia - Narrowleaf Skullcap, Small-flowered Skullcap. I had difficulty identifying this species of Scutellaria. It was clearly a Skullcap based on the ridge atop the calyx - quite distinct in all the photos. There are five species of Scutellaria in Idaho, but three were quickly eliminated due to leaf structure and flower color. That left me with Scutellaria angustifolia - Narrowleaf Skullcap - and the very similar Scutellaria antirrhinoides - Snapdragon Skullcap. Both species are known in Adams County where I found these plants. S. antirrhinoides is a smaller plant with a shorter corolla, but that's difficult without a side by side comparison or measurements. In addition, S. angustifolia ssp. micrantha is smaller than ssp. angustifolia, the one I believe this to be. S. antirrhinoides also has more, longer hairs in a throat that is almost closed. The feature that made me decide this must be S. angustifolia is the lighter patch on the lower lip. In the photos and descriptions I've found that is a much more pronounced white in S. antirrhinoides, perhaps with some mottling, while in S. angustifolia the lighter coloration is more likely to be a pair of lighter blue streaks rather than distinctly white. I haven't found confirmation of the consistency of those characteristics.

Found in:
ID, NV, OR, UT, WA

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Scutellaria angustifolia

Distribution of Scutellaria angustifolia in the United States and Canada:
Map unavailable.
Map courtesy of The Biota of North America Program.
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Site: Kleinschmidt Grade, Adams County, ID Date: 2012-May-24Photographer: Gerald C. Williamson
Nikon D7000
The flowers of Narrowleaf Skullcap are blue-violet. Note the significant ridge on the top of the calyx, the distinctive feature of Skullcaps.
Scutellaria angustifolia
Site: Kleinschmidt Grade, Adams County, ID Date: 2012-May-27Photographer: Gerald C Williamson
Nikon D7000
Scutellaria angustifolia grows to about a foot high. It has opposite leaves, and is usually a hairy plant. It blooms in late spring to early summer.
Click on the photo for a larger image
Scutellaria angustifolia
References used for identification and information:
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Scutellaria angustifolia initially published on USWildflowers.com 2012-06-19; Updated 2015-06-24

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All content except USDA Plants Database map Copyright Gerald C. Williamson 2024
Photographs Copyright owned by the named photographer



Code Update 20230302