''Scutellaria ovata'', commonly known as the heartleaf skullcap, is a member of 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 ...

). Its range in the United States is from Minnesota to Florida, and from Texas to the Atlantic coast. It is also native to Mexico.

Description

''Scutellaria ovata'' is an erect perennial, growing to around 80 cm tall. Its flowers are blue, and produced from May to October. The flowers are arranged in a terminal raceme. File:Heartleaf Skullcap (1015071861).jpg, Detail of inflorescence File:Heartleaf Skullcap (1015841692).jpg, Calyx and ovary of ''Scutellaria ovata''

Taxonomy

This species is highly variable across its range, with local races expressing distinct phenotypes. Numerous varieties and subspecies have been described, with wide variation of on what constitutes the best taxonomic treatment. In two extremes, botanist

Carl Epling Carl Clawson Epling (15 April 1894 – 17 November 1968) was an American botanist and taxonomist. He is best known for being the major authority on the Lamiaceae (mint family) of the Americas from the 1920s to the 1960s. In his later years he als ...

recognized twelve subspecies in his 1942 treatment, while T.M. Lane described ''S. ovata'' as a single polymorphic taxa with no distinguishable varieties in a 1986 publication. A numerical analysis published in 1988 indicated that at least three subspecies showed statistically significant morphological separation. Some modern floras have recognized these three subspecies: *''S. ovata'' ssp. ''bracteata'' *''S. ovata'' ssp. ''ovata'' *''S. ovata'' ssp. ''rugosa''

Conservation

''Scutellaria ovata'' has been ranked as globally "secure", the lowest level of conservation concern. However, it becomes locally rare at the edges of its natural range. It is currently listed as threatened in Minnesota. In Michigan, it was considered "probably extirpated" until in 2007 it was found in The Nature Conservancy's Ives Road Fen Preserve in

Tecumseh Tecumseh ( ; October 5, 1813) was a Shawnee chief and warrior who promoted resistance to the expansion of the United States onto Native American lands. A persuasive orator, Tecumseh traveled widely, forming a Native American confederacy and ...

, Michigan. This was the first documented occurrence of the species in Michigan since 1918.

References

ovata Flora of the Northeastern United States Flora of the United States Flora of the Southeastern United States Flora without expected TNC conservation status {{Lamiaceae-stub