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Summary

Physical Characteristics

Scutellaria is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.3 m (1ft) by 0.3 m (1ft in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5. It is in flower in August, and the seeds ripen in September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Scutellaria macrantha. Fisch.

Plant Habitats

Edible Uses

Young leaves - cooked as a vegetable[105, 177, 183]. The whole plant is dried and used as a tea substitute[105, 183].

References More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.

Baikal skullcap is commonly used in Chinese herbalism, where it is considered to be one of the 50 fundamental herbs and is used primarily in treating "hot and damp" conditions such as dysentery and diarrhoea[218, 254]. It has been used medicinally for over 2,000 years and recent research has found that the roots contain flavonoids that greatly enhance liver function and also have anti-inflammatory and antiallergenic effects[238]. The root is anodyne, antibacterial, anticholesterolemic, antipyretic, antispasmodic, astringent, cholagogue, diuretic, expectorant, febrifuge, haemostatic, laxative, nervine, mildly sedative, stomachic and tonic (for TB)[46, 61, 147, 174, 176, 218, 238]. It reputedly calms the foetus in pregnant women[238]. The root is used internally in the treatment of enteritis, dysentery, diarrhoea, jaundice, chronic hepatitis, urinary tract infections, hypertension, threatened miscarriage, nosebleed and haemorrhage from the lungs or bowel[238]. It is one of the ingredients of the Chinese drug 'injection of three yellow herbs'[238]. The root is harvested in the autumn or spring from plants 3 - 4 years old and is dried for later use[238]. The seed is used to cleanse the bowels of blood and pus[218]. For the treatment of prostate cancer [301].

References More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Succeeds in a sunny position in any ordinary garden soil that does not dry out during the growing season[200]. Prefers a light well-drained soil in sun or partial shade[238]. This species requires sharp drainage and, once established, is drought tolerant[238]. Plants are hardy to at least -15°c[238]. A very ornamental plant[1].

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Plant Propagation

Seed - sow outdoors in situ in late spring[200] If there is only a small quantity of seed it is better to sow it in a pot in a cold frame in early spring. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer. Division in spring just before new growth begins. Very easy, larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found it best to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in a lightly shaded position in a cold frame, planting them out once they are well established in the summer.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: Russian Federation (Buryatia, Chita), Mongolia, Russian Federation (Primorye, Amur), China (Gansu Sheng, Hebei Sheng, Heilongjiang Sheng, Henan Sheng, Hubei Sheng, Jiangsu Sheng, Liaoning Sheng, Nei Mongol Zizhiqu, Shaanxi Sheng, Shandong Sheng, Shanxi Sheng), Korea

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so itâ€™s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Scutellaria baicalensis	Baikal Skullcap - Huang-Qin	Perennial	0.3	4-8	LM	SN	DM	1	3
Scutellaria barbata	Barbed Skullcap	Annual	0.5	-	LMH	SN	M	0	2
Scutellaria galericulata	Common Skullcap, Marsh skullcap	Perennial	0.5	4-8	LMH	N	M	0	3
Scutellaria indica		Perennial	0.3	4-8	LMH	N	M	1	1
Scutellaria lateriflora	Virginian Skullcap, Blue skullcap	Perennial	0.6	6-9	LMH	N	M	0	3	2

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

Scutellaria - Georgi.