Family: Scrophulariaceae
carpenter's-square, eastern figwort, late figwort
Merel R. Black
Christopher Noll
University of Wisconsin - Madison (WIS-VP)
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, up to 10' tall forb; sides of stems roundly-angled and with prominent grooves
Leaves: opposite, the stalk usually more than 1/3 as long as the blade
Flowers: red/brown, 5-parted, 1/4"-1/3" long, tubular-shaped; 4 stamens, the sterile stamen purple; inflorescence a loose, irregularly-branched, pyramid-shaped cluster often 3"- 6" wide; blooms July-Aug.
Fruits: somewhat shiny capsule
Habitat: open; woods, roadsides
Conservation Status: Native
Plants: erect, perennial, up to 10' tall forb; sides of stems roundly-angled and with prominent grooves
Leaves: opposite, the stalk usually more than 1/3 as long as the blade
Flowers: red/brown, 5-parted, 1/4"-1/3" long, tubular-shaped; 4 stamens, the sterile stamen purple; inflorescence a loose, irregularly-branched, pyramid-shaped cluster often 3"- 6" wide; blooms July-Aug.
Fruits: somewhat shiny capsule
Habitat: open; woods, roadsides
Conservation Status: Native
In similar habitats to S. lanceolata. Forests of maple-basswood, maple-beech, oak, oak-hickory, wet woods of box-elder-ash, silver maple-cottonwood-willow, white cedar, and hickory-elm-box-elder; oak savannas, thickets, prairies, wooded bluffs, grassy riverbanks, along roadsides and railroads.
Primarily south of the Tension Zone and most common in our southwestern counties and the eastern quarter of the state. Plants are usually more branched than in S. marilandica, having a bushier inflorescence and multiple stems from the base. The mature capsules of S. marilandica are very slightly thicker at the base than those of S. lanceolata. The leaves are also usually longer than those of S. lanceolata, but there is a great deal of overlap in this character.
Primarily south of the Tension Zone and most common in our southwestern counties and the eastern quarter of the state. Plants are usually more branched than in S. marilandica, having a bushier inflorescence and multiple stems from the base. The mature capsules of S. marilandica are very slightly thicker at the base than those of S. lanceolata. The leaves are also usually longer than those of S. lanceolata, but there is a great deal of overlap in this character.
- sterile filament dark brown or purple, often longer than wide
- mature capsules 4-6(-7) mm long
- larger leaf blades often cordate
Floristic Rating: Coefficient of Conservatism = 4, Wetland Indicator = FACU-* USDA Plants Database: Federal Distribution and detailed information including photos Dan Tenaglia's The Missouri Flora: Fabulous photographs; detailed descriptions; color and leave arrangement key. David G. Smith's "Delaware Wilflowers": Beautiful photographs; descriptions Illinois Wildflowers: Wonderful photographs; detailed descriptions; color and leaf arrangement key Southwest School of Botanical Medicine: Britton & Brown Illustrated Flora - 2nd Edition (1913) "An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada"
Christopher Noll
Christopher Noll
Emmet J. Judziewicz
Aaron_Carlson
Aaron_Carlson
Aaron_Carlson
Christopher Noll
Marion Sheehan
Merel R. Black
