For such a diminutive wildower, Helmet
skullcap (Scutellaria integrifolia) makes a
large impact when it blooms in late spring
and summer. Also known as Common
skullcap, it is ideal for a wildower border
or nestled within a pond or rock garden.
Although a short-lived perennial, its
adaptability is contributing to its surge
in popularity with home gardeners.
Scutellaria is Latin for dish, possibly
describing the lower plate-like petal;
and integrifolia refers to its smooth leaf
margins.
The natural distribution of Scutellaria
extends to all of Florida except the
southernmost tip. It is frequently found in
the Panhandle, and in North and Central
Florida in the moist soils of sandhills, pine
atwoods and upland mixed forests, as
well as along marsh and swamp edges.
Skullcap is also found through most of the
eastern U.S.
A closely related species, Florida scrub
skullcap (Scutellaria arenicola) can be
distinguished by its crenate leaf margins.
The other nine native Florida skullcap
species are only rarely or occasionally
found in their habitats.
Description
Helmet skullcap is a 12- to 24-inch
perennial that dies back in winter. It
begins as a basal rosette of bright green,
arrow-shaped leaves with coarsely
toothed margins. From the rosette, many
branched stems emerge. Stem leaves
vary from elliptical to arrow-shaped and
are oppositely arranged. Upper leaves
are more narrow and have entire margins.
Flowers are two-lipped and resemble
snapdragon blooms. They occur on
terminal racemes and are very showy with
Skullcap
colors ranging from sky blue to violet. The
lower lip consists of three fused lobes with
white splotched centers extending down
the throat. A dark strip guides insects
toward desirable nectar. Upper petals are
fused and curved, forming a small hood
or helmet-like structure. Flowers are born
in the axils of the bract-like upper leaves.
Planting
This lovely little wildower can be
introduced into your garden anytime
using plants or seeds. It produces a
large amount of seeds and seedlings,
thus plantings will naturally and quickly
increase in size.
Seeds
Seeds are small, shiny and black and are
produced in nutlets. Seeds are mature
when the nutlet coat turns light brown and
becomes papery.
The plant may hold
owers and seeds
at the same time.
Dried seeds can
be stored up to six
months then sown
when temperatures reach 70 degrees.
Germination may take up to 30 days.
Helmet skullcap seeds are often available
from the Florida Wildower Growers
Cooperative.
Plants
Nurseries that specialize in native plants
sell Helmet skullcap almost year-round. It
is generally available in 4-inch or 1-gallon
pots.
Care
Helmet skullcap readily spreads by seed.
Excess seedlings can be easily removed
or transplanted into small pots. To avoid
having to weed out seedlings, prune
plants back after owering to limit seed
production. Disease and pests are not a
problem with this wildower.
Site conditions
Prized for its early spring owering,
Helmet skullcap is great in the front of
a mixed wildower bed. This adaptable
plant can be used in well-drained to
moist soil and is reported to be somewhat
drought tolerant. A pH of -6. is ideal. It
is best suited to sunny or lightly shaded
sites. Plants will be dormant in winter,
dying back to the rootstock. Helmet
skullcap is not salt tolerant.
Hardiness zones
Skullcap is best suited for zones 8a–9a.
Helmet skullcap owers are visited
by a wide range of bees whose
bodies can t between the lower
and upper lips in order to reach
the nectar. This includes leafcutter,
carder and cuckoo bees, as well as
some bumble bees. Sweat bees are
also known to visit Helmet skullcap,
but they are nectar robbers and
will pierce the base of the corolla
to access nectar. Like many other
species in the Lamiaceae (mint)
family, Helmet skullcap owers
are only visited sporadically by
butteries. Species known to utilize
Helmet skullcap include Gulf fritillary,
Spicebush swallowtail and Eastern
black swallowtail.
1–2 ft
Nectar
Photo by Peg Urban
Helmet skullcap
Photo by Peg Urban
Gulf Fritillary on Helmet skullcap
Photo by Peg Urban
Hairstreak on Helmet skullcap