logo Wild Flower Web
Back

Click here to search for a different flower

Search

[?]

Open the Advanced Search

Somerset Skullcap

Scutellaria altissima

Please keep in mind that it is illegal to uproot a plant without the landowner's consent and care should be taken at all times not to damage wild plants. Wild plants should never be picked for pleasure and some plants are protected by law.
For more information please download the BSBI Code of Conduct PDF document.

Contents

Plant Profile

Flowering Months:
JAN  FEB  MAR  APR  MAY  JUN  JUL  AUG  SEP  OCT  NOV  DEC
Order:
Lamiales
Family:
Lamiaceae (Dead-nettle)
Also in this family:
Annual Woundwort, Apple Mint, Balkan Clary, Basil Thyme, Bastard Balm, Betony, Bifid Hemp-nettle, Black Horehound, Breckland Thyme, Bugle, Catmint, Common Calamint, Common Hemp-nettle, Corn Mint, Corsican Mint, Cut-leaved Dead-nettle, Cut-leaved Germander, Cut-leaved Selfheal, Downy Woundwort, False Apple Mint, Field Woundwort, Garden Catmint, Garden Clary, Ginger Mint, Ground Ivy, Ground-pine, Gypsywort, Hedge Woundwort, Henbit Dead-nettle, Horse Mint, Lamb's-ear, Large Thyme, Large-flowered Hemp-nettle, Lemon Balm, Lesser Calamint, Lesser Skullcap, Limestone Woundwort, Marjoram, Marsh Woundwort, Meadow Clary, Northern Dead-nettle, Pennyroyal, Peppermint, Pyramidal Bugle, Red Dead-nettle, Red Hemp-nettle, Rosemary, Round-leaved Mint, Selfheal, Sharp-leaved Mint, Skullcap, Spearmint, Spotted Dead-nettle, Sticky Clary, Tall Mint, Variegated Yellow Archangel, Wall Germander, Water Germander, Water Mint, White Dead-nettle, White Horehound, Whorled Clary, Whorled Mint, Wild Basil, Wild Clary, Wild Thyme, Wood Calamint, Wood Sage, Yellow Archangel
Type:
Flower
Life Cycle:
Perennial
Maximum Size:
120 centimetres tall
Habitats:
Gardens, meadows, riversides, walls, waterside, wetland, woodland.

Flower:
֍
Purple, 2 petals
 
The flowers are pale purple. The upper lip is hooded and the lower lip is 3-lobed.
Fruit:
A globular, single-seeded nutlet.
Leaves:
Somerset Skullcap is a clump-forming perennial with triangular-shaped leaves. The leaves are scarcely toothed.
Other Names:
Blue Skullcap, Tall Skullcap.
Frequency (UK):
Rarely seen  

Similar Species

Skullcap
Skullcap

Lesser Skullcap

Other Information

Summary

Scutellaria altissima is a perennial herb in the Lamiaceae family, also known as tall skullcap or blue skullcap. It is native to North America and it is commonly found in woodlands, meadows and along streams. The plant has small, blue or purple flowers that bloom in the summer, and it forms a tall, upright habit, reaching up to 4 feet in height. The leaves are opposite and ovate shaped, and the stem is square. It has been used in traditional medicine, particularly in the treatment of anxiety and insomnia. It is also used as an ornamental plant in gardens, particularly in wildflower gardens and meadows.

Blog

Somerset Skullcap, also known by its scientific name Scutellaria altissima, is a herbaceous perennial plant native to eastern North America. It is a member of the mint family and is closely related to other plants such as sage and thyme.

The plant is commonly found in open, sunny areas such as prairies, meadows, and along roadsides. It is a hardy plant that can tolerate a variety of soil types and is drought-tolerant once established.

Somerset Skullcap typically grows to a height of around 2-3 feet and has a branching, upright stem that is covered in tiny hairs. The leaves are a deep green color and are arranged opposite each other along the stem. They are generally oval-shaped with a pointed tip and have a slightly toothed margin.

One of the most distinctive features of the Somerset Skullcap is its flowers. They are produced in dense spikes that emerge from the leaf axils in mid to late summer. The flowers are a striking shade of blue-purple and have a distinctly tubular shape. Each flower has a small, raised shield-like structure at the base, which is where the plant gets its common name of "skullcap".

Somerset Skullcap has a long history of use in traditional medicine. It is believed to have anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic properties and has been used to treat a variety of ailments such as anxiety, insomnia, and headaches. The plant contains several bioactive compounds, including flavonoids and terpenoids, which are believed to be responsible for its medicinal properties.

In addition to its medicinal uses, Somerset Skullcap is also an important plant for wildlife. The flowers are a valuable source of nectar for a variety of pollinators, including bees and butterflies. The plant is also a host for the larvae of several species of moth.

Unfortunately, Somerset Skullcap is threatened in many parts of its range due to habitat loss and fragmentation. Efforts are underway to conserve and restore populations of the plant, including the use of prescribed burns to maintain open, sunny habitats where the plant thrives.

Somerset Skullcap is a beautiful and important plant that has both medicinal and ecological value. By working to protect and restore populations of this species, we can ensure that it continues to play an important role in our ecosystems and in traditional medicine for years to come.

Here are some additional interesting facts about Somerset Skullcap:

  • The plant is sometimes also called "tall skullcap" or "altissima skullcap", with "altissima" being Latin for "tall". This name refers to the plant's upright growth habit and tall spikes of flowers.

  • Somerset Skullcap has been used for centuries in traditional Native American medicine. The Cherokee, for example, used it to treat menstrual cramps, while the Iroquois used it to treat stomach ailments.

  • The plant's scientific name, Scutellaria, comes from the Latin word "scutella", meaning "small dish" or "bowl". This refers to the shield-like structure at the base of the flower, which resembles a small dish.

  • There are over 300 species of skullcap plants worldwide, but only a few are native to North America. In addition to Somerset Skullcap, two other species are found in eastern North America: Marsh Skullcap (Scutellaria galericulata) and Common Skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora).

  • In addition to its medicinal uses, Somerset Skullcap is sometimes used in landscaping and as a garden plant. It is a relatively low-maintenance plant that is easy to grow and adds a pop of color to garden beds.

  • Some research has suggested that Somerset Skullcap may have potential as a treatment for certain types of cancer. Studies have found that the plant's compounds can inhibit the growth and spread of cancer cells, although more research is needed to determine its effectiveness as a cancer treatment.

Overall, Somerset Skullcap is a fascinating and important plant with a long history of use in traditional medicine and a vital role in ecosystems across eastern North America. By learning more about this plant and working to conserve and protect it, we can ensure that it continues to thrive for generations to come.

Here are some more details about the medicinal uses and potential health benefits of Somerset Skullcap:

  • Somerset Skullcap has been used traditionally as a calming herb and is believed to have a relaxing effect on the nervous system. It has been used to treat conditions such as anxiety, nervous tension, and insomnia. It is often taken as a tea or tincture, or added to other herbal remedies.

  • In addition to its calming properties, Somerset Skullcap has been used to treat a variety of other ailments. It has been used as a pain reliever, anti-inflammatory, and antispasmodic, and is sometimes used to treat conditions such as migraines, PMS, and irritable bowel syndrome.

  • Some research has suggested that Somerset Skullcap may have potential in treating Alzheimer's disease. Studies have found that the plant's compounds may be able to protect brain cells from damage and may even help to reverse cognitive decline in some cases.

  • The plant contains several flavonoids, which are antioxidant compounds that have been shown to have a range of potential health benefits. Flavonoids have been shown to reduce inflammation, lower blood pressure, and improve cardiovascular health.

  • One study found that Somerset Skullcap extract may have potential in treating diabetes. The study found that the plant's compounds were able to improve insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism in diabetic mice.

  • Somerset Skullcap has also been shown to have potential as an antiviral agent. Some studies have found that the plant's compounds may be able to inhibit the replication of certain viruses, including the flu virus and herpes simplex virus.

Overall, while more research is needed to fully understand the medicinal properties and potential health benefits of Somerset Skullcap, it is clear that this plant has a long and fascinating history of use in traditional medicine and may have a range of potential health benefits. As always, it is important to consult with a healthcare professional before using any new herbal remedy.