Online Virtual Flora of Wisconsin - Scrophularia lanceolata

Scrophularia lanceolata Pursh

Family: Scrophulariaceae

American figwort, early figwort, lance-leaf figwort

Christopher Noll

Damon A. Smith

Open Interactive Map

Etymology: Scrophularia: named in 1474 by an Italian physician who noticed the resemblance between the rhizomal knobs of some species and the tubercular condition of human lymph nodes called scrophula
Plants: erect, perennial, 2'-6' tall forb; sides of stems flat or slightly grooved
Leaves: opposite, the stalk usually less than 1/3 as long as the blade
Flowers: red/brown, 5-parted, 1/4"-3/8" long, tubular-shaped; 4 stamens, the sterile stamen yellow; upper lip 2-lobed, the lower, yellowish-brown lip 3-lobed, its center lobe facing backward; inflorescence a 4"-12" terminal, cylindrical, branched cluster usually less than 3" wide; blooms May-Aug.
Fruits: dull brown capsule
Habitat: open; meadows, fields, wood edge; in rocky soil
Conservation Status: Native

- sterile filament yellowish-green, often wider than long

- mature capsules 6-9 mm long

- larger leaf blades truncate to rounded at base, never cordate

Floristic Rating: Coefficient of Conservatism = 4, Wetland Indicator = FACU+ Atlas of the Wisconsin Prairie and Savanna Flora: by T.S. Cochrane & H.H. Iltis: habitat, distribution infomation / flowering and fruiting times USDA Plants Database: Federal Distribution and detailed information including photos