''Scutellaria'' is a genus of flowering plants in the mint family,

Lamiaceae The Lamiaceae ( ) or Labiatae are a family of flowering plants commonly known as the mint, deadnettle or sage family. Many of the plants are aromatic in all parts and include widely used culinary herbs like basil, mint, rosemary, sage, savory ...

. They are known commonly as skullcaps. The generic name is derived from the Latin ''scutella'', meaning "a small dish, tray or platter",''Scutellaria parvula'' var. ''missouriensis''.
Robert W. Freckmann Herbarium. University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point. or "little dish", referring to the shape of the

calyx Calyx or calyce (plural "calyces"), from the Latin ''calix'' which itself comes from the Ancient Greek ''κάλυξ'' (''kálux'') meaning "husk" or "pod", may refer to: Biology * Calyx (anatomy), collective name for several cup-like structures ...

. The common name alludes to the resemblance of the same structure to "miniature

medieval helmets In the history of Europe, the Middle Ages or medieval period lasted approximately from the late 5th to the late 15th centuries, similar to the post-classical period of global history. It began with the fall of the Western Roman Empire a ...

". The genus has a subcosmopolitan distribution,Ulloa, C. U. and P. M. Jørgensen
''Scutellaria''.
''Árboles y arbustos de los Andes del Ecuador''. eFloras. with species occurring nearly worldwide, mainly in temperate regions.''Scutellaria''.
The Jepson eFlora 2013.

Description

Most Scutellaria are annual or perennial herbaceous plants from tall, however a few are

subshrub A subshrub (Latin ''suffrutex'') or dwarf shrub is a short shrub, and is a woody plant. Prostrate shrub is a related term. "Subshrub" is often used interchangeably with "bush".Jackson, Benjamin, Daydon; A Glossary of Botanic Terms with their Der ...

s. Some Scutellaria are aquatic. Scutellaria have four-angled stems and opposite

leaves A leaf (plural, : leaves) is any of the principal appendages of a vascular plant plant stem, stem, usually borne laterally aboveground and specialized for photosynthesis. Leaves are collectively called foliage, as in "autumn foliage", wh ...

, and flowers with upper and lower lips. The genus is most easily recognized by the typical shield on the calyx that has also prompted its common name.

Traditional use

Skullcaps are used in traditional medicine, such as in traditional Chinese medicine. The root of ''

Scutellaria baicalensis ''Scutellaria baicalensis'', with the common name Baikal skullcap or Chinese skullcap, is a species of flowering plant in the family Lamiaceae. Distribution The plant is native to China, Korea, Mongolia, and Russia in the Russian Far East and Si ...

'' a common component of many preparations is marketed in volumes that have led to the

overexploitation Overexploitation, also called overharvesting, refers to harvesting a renewable resource to the point of diminishing returns. Continued overexploitation can lead to the destruction of the resource, as it will be unable to replenish. The term app ...

of the wild plant. Its rarity has led to an increase in price, and encouraged the adulteration of the product with other species of ''Scutellaria''. In 1773, ''

Scutellaria lateriflora ''Scutellaria lateriflora'', (commonly "blue skullcap", "mad dog skullcap",rabies. Today it is still a popular medicinal herb. It is widely available as a commercial product used in western herbalism. The plant reportedly commands prices of $16 to $64 per pound dry weight.

Constituents

The main compounds in skullcap are

flavonoid Flavonoids (or bioflavonoids; from the Latin word ''flavus'', meaning yellow, their color in nature) are a class of polyphenolic secondary metabolites found in plants, and thus commonly consumed in the diets of humans. Chemically, flavonoids ...

s. Isolated chemical compounds include

wogonin Wogonin is an O-methylated flavone, a flavonoid-like chemical compound which is found in ''Scutellaria baicalensis''. The glycosides of wogonin are known as wogonosides. For example, oroxindin is a wogonin glucuronide isolated from '' Oroxylum ...

wogonoside Wogonin is an O-methylated flavone, a flavonoid-like chemical compound which is found in ''Scutellaria baicalensis''. The glycosides of wogonin are known as wogonosides. For example, oroxindin is a wogonin glucuronide isolated from '' Oroxylum ...

, and 3,5,7,2',6'-pentahydroxyl flavanone found in ''Scutellaria''. Other constituents include

baicalin As baicalin is a flavone glycoside, it is a flavonoid. It is the glucuronide of baicalein. Natural occurrences Baicalin is found in several species in the genus ''Scutellaria'', including ''Scutellaria baicalensis'', and '' Scutellaria lateri ...

, apigenin,

oroxylin A Oroxylin A is an O-methylated flavone, a chemical compound that can be found in the medicinal plants ''Scutellaria baicalensis'' and ''Scutellaria lateriflora'', and the ''Oroxylum indicum'' tree. It has demonstrated activity as a dopamine reuptak ...

, and

scutellarein Scutellarein is a flavone that can be found in ''Scutellaria lateriflora'' and other members of the genus ''Scutellaria'', as well as the fern ''Asplenium belangeri''. Glycosides The scutellarin (Scutellarein-7-glucuronide A glucuronide, als ...

Selected species

Estimates of the number of species in the genus range from around 300 to about 350''Scutellaria''.
Flora of China. or 360 to 470. Selected species include: *''

Scutellaria alabamensis ''Scutellaria alabamensis'', known as Alabama skullcap, is a rare and endangered wildflower, endemic only to 9 counties in North central Alabama (We dare defend our rights) , anthem = "Alabama" , image_map = Alabama in United States.svg , ...

'' – Alabama skullcap *''

Scutellaria albida ''Scutellaria'' is a genus of flowering plants in the mint family, Lamiaceae. They are known commonly as skullcaps. The generic name is derived from the Latin ''scutella'', meaning "a small dish, tray or platter",Scutellaria alborosea ''Scutellaria alborosea'' is a species of flowering plant in the mint family, Lamiaceae. It is endemic to Ecuador Ecuador ( ; ; Quechua: ''Ikwayur''; Shuar: ''Ecuador'' or ''Ekuatur''), officially the Republic of Ecuador ( es, Repúbl ...

Lem. Charles Antoine Lemaire (1 November 1800, in Paris – 22 June 1871, in Paris), was a French botanist and botanical author, noted for his publications on Cactaceae. Education Born the son of Antoine Charles Lemaire and Marie Jeanne Davio, he ha ...

*'' Scutellaria alpina'' L. – alpine skullcap *'' Scutellaria altamaha'' – pineland skullcap *'' Scutellaria altissima'' L. – Somerset skullcap, tall skullcap *'' Scutellaria amoena'' *'' Scutellaria anatolica'' *'' Scutellaria angustifolia'' – narrowleaf skullcap *'' Scutellaria antirrhinoides''

Benth. George Bentham (22 September 1800 – 10 September 1884) was an English botanist, described by the weed botanist Duane Isely as "the premier systematic botanist of the nineteenth century". Born into a distinguished family, he initially studie ...

– nose skullcap *'' Scutellaria arenicola'' – Florida scrub skullcap *'' Scutellaria arguta'' – Blue Ridge skullcap *'' Scutellaria atriplicifolia'' *'' Scutellaria aurata'' *''

'' Georgi – Baikal skullcap, Chinese skullcap *''

Scutellaria barbata ''Scutellaria barbata'', the barbed skullcap, is a species of flowering plant in the mint family, Lamiaceae. It is native to Asia.

'' D.Don – barbed skullcap *'' Scutellaria bolanderi''

A.Gray Asa Gray (November 18, 1810 – January 30, 1888) is considered the most important American botanist of the 19th century. His '' Darwiniana'' was considered an important explanation of how religion and science were not necessarily mutually exc ...

– Sierra skullcap *''

Scutellaria brachyspica ''Scutellaria brachyspica'' is a species of flowering plant in the mint family (Lamiaceae). It is endemic to Japan, where it is found on the islands of Honshu (south of Miyagi Prefecture) and Shikoku.Scutellaria brittonii'' – Britton's skullcap *'' Scutellaria bushii'' – Bush's skullcap *'' Scutellaria caerulea'' – blue skullcap *'' Scutellaria californica'' A.Gray – California skullcap *'' Scutellaria cardiophylla'' – gulf skullcap *'' Scutellaria columnae'' *'' Scutellaria costaricana''

H.Wendl. Hermann Wendland (October 11, 1825 in Herrenhausen – January 12, 1903 in Hanover) was a German botanist and gardener. He was a noted authority on the family Arecaceae (palms), on which he published a major monograph which formed the basis for t ...

– scarlet skullcap, Costa Rican skullcap *'' Scutellaria drummondii'' – Drummond's skullcap *'' Scutellaria elliptica'' Muhl. – hairy skullcap *'' Scutellaria floridana'' Chapm. – Florida skullcap *'' Scutellaria formosana'' *''

Scutellaria galericulata ''Scutellaria galericulata'', the common skullcap, marsh skullcap or hooded skullcap, is a hardy perennial herb native to northern areas of the Northern Hemisphere, including Europe, Asia, and almost all of Canada. It is a member of the mint fam ...

'' L. – common skullcap, marsh skullcap *'' Scutellaria glabriuscula'' – Georgia skullcap *'' Scutellaria hastifolia'' – spear-leaved skullcap *'' Scutellaria havanensis'' – Havana skullcap *'' Scutellaria hirta'' *'' Scutellaria hookeri'' *'' Scutellaria humilis'' *'' Scutellaria incana'' Biehler – downy skullcap, hoary skullcap *''

Scutellaria incarnata ''Scutellaria'' is a genus of flowering plants in the mint family, Lamiaceae. They are known commonly as skullcaps. The generic name is derived from the Latin ''scutella'', meaning "a small dish, tray or platter",Scutellaria indica'' L. *'' Scutellaria integrifolia'' L. – helmet flower *'' Scutellaria laevis'' – Culberson County skullcap *''

Scutellaria lateriflora ''Scutellaria lateriflora'', (commonly "blue skullcap", "mad dog skullcap",Scutellaria longifolia'' Benth. *'' Scutellaria longituba'' *'' Scutellaria meehanioides'' *'' Scutellaria mexicana'' *'' Scutellaria microphylla'' – littleleaf skullcap *''

Scutellaria minor ''Scutellaria minor'', the lesser skullcap, is a species of flowering plant in the family Lamiaceae. Description ''Scutellaria minor'' grows to tall, with narrowly ovate leaves arranged oppositely. Flowers are borne in the leaf axil, axils of t ...

'' Huds. – lesser skullcap *'' Scutellaria montana'' Chapm. – mountain skullcap, large-flowered skullcap *'' Scutellaria multiglandulosa'' – Small's skullcap *'' Scutellaria muriculata'' – Rio Grande skullcap *''

Scutellaria nana ''Scutellaria'' is a genus of flowering plants in the mint family, Lamiaceae. They are known commonly as skullcaps. The generic name is derived from the Latin ''scutella'', meaning "a small dish, tray or platter",Scutellaria nervosa'' – veiny skullcap *'' Scutellaria novae-zelandaie'' *'' Scutellaria ocmulgee'' – Ocmulgee skullcap *''

Scutellaria orientalis ''Scutellaria orientalis'', also known as yellow-flowered skull cap or yellow helmet flower, is a species of alpine rhizomatous perennial belonging to the genus '' Scutellaria'', and classified under the family Lamiaceae. Description The decidu ...

'' *'' Scutellaria ovata'' Hill – heart-leaved skullcap *'' Scutellaria parvula'' Michx. – small skullcap *''

Scutellaria pekinensis ''Scutellaria'' is a genus of flowering plants in the mint family, Lamiaceae. They are known commonly as skullcaps. The generic name is derived from the Latin ''scutella'', meaning "a small dish, tray or platter",Scutellaria potosina ''Scutellaria'' is a genus of flowering plants in the mint family, Lamiaceae. They are known commonly as skullcaps. The generic name is derived from the Latin ''scutella'', meaning "a small dish, tray or platter",Scutellaria pseudoserrata'' – falseteeth skullcap *'' Scutellaria purpurascens'' *'' Scutellaria racemosa'' – South American skullcap *'' Scutellaria rehderiana'' *'' Scutellaria resinosa'' Torr. – sticky skullcap *'' Scutellaria rubicunda'' *'' Scutellaria sapphirina'' – White Pine skullcap *'' Scutellaria sarmentosa'' *'' Scutellaria saxatilis'' – smooth rock skullcap *'' Scutellaria serboana'' *'' Scutellaria serrata'' – showy skullcap *'' Scutellaria siphocampyloides'' – grayleaf skullcap *'' Scutellaria splendens'' *'' Scutellaria strigillosa'' *'' Scutellaria suffrutescens'' *'' Scutellaria texana'' – Texas skullcap *'' Scutellaria thieretii'' – Thieret's skullcap *'' Scutellaria tuberosa'' Benth. – Danny's skullcap *'' Scutellaria utriculata'' *''

Scutellaria ventenatii ''Scutellaria'' is a genus of flowering plants in the mint family, Lamiaceae. They are known commonly as skullcaps. The generic name is derived from the Latin ''scutella'', meaning "a small dish, tray or platter",Scutellaria violacea'' *''

Scutellaria viscidula ''Scutellaria'' is a genus of flowering plants in the mint family, Lamiaceae. They are known commonly as skullcaps. The generic name is derived from the Latin ''scutella'', meaning "a small dish, tray or platter",Scutellaria wrightii ''Scutellaria'' is a genus of flowering plants in the mint family, Lamiaceae. They are known commonly as skullcaps. The generic name is derived from the Latin ''scutella'', meaning "a small dish, tray or platter",Piper methysticum'' (kava), another anxiolytic

GABAergic In molecular biology and physiology, something is GABAergic or GABAnergic if it pertains to or affects the neurotransmitter GABA. For example, a synapse is GABAergic if it uses GABA as its neurotransmitter, and a GABAergic neuron produces GABA. A ...

plant *''

Valeriana officinalis Valerian (''Valeriana officinalis'', Caprifoliaceae) is a perennial flowering plant native to Europe and Asia. In the summer when the mature plant may have a height of , it bears sweetly scented pink or white flowers that attract many fly specie ...

'' ( valerian), a sedative GABAergic plant *'' Chaenomeles speciosa'', also contains a constituent that acts as a dopamine reuptake inhibitor

References

External links

* * *
''Scutellaria'' images.
MorphBank. {{Taxonbar, from=Q156764 Lamiaceae genera Medicinal plants Anxiolytics Dopamine reuptake inhibitors GABAA receptor positive allosteric modulators Taxa named by Carl Linnaeus