Scrophularia californica Cham. & Schltdl.
California figwort
Scrophulariaceae (Butterfly-bush family)

Introduction to Vascular Plants

Photograph

© Ryan Batten     (Photo ID #66646)


Map

E-Flora BC Static Map

Distribution of Scrophularia californica
Click here to view the full interactive map and legend

SUBTAXA PRESENT IN BC

Scrophularia californica var. oregana

Species Information

General:
Perennial herb from thickened roots; stems erect, 50-120 cm tall, 4-angled, minutely glandular-hairy.
Leaves:
Opposite, stalked, the stalks 3-6 cm long, the blades egg-shaped to moe or less triangular, 7-17 cm long, coarsely single- to double-toothed.
Flowers:
Inflorescence a long, open, branched, terminal cluster of stalked flowers; corollas short-tubular, 8-13 mm long, the upper half brown to maroon, the lower half paler or yellowish-green, 2-lipped, the upper lip pointing forward, 2-lobed, the lower lip shorter, 3-lobed, the middle lobe pointing down; calyces 3-4 mm long, 5-lobed, the lobes oblong to egg-shaped, blunt; fertile stamens 4, sterile stamens 1, attached near the base of the upper lip, brown to purple, broadened toward the tip, club-to egg-shaped, slightly longer than wide.
Fruits:
Capsules pear-shaped, 6-8 mm long; seeds numerous, oblong egg-shaped, angular, ridged.
Notes:
Easily confused with S. lanceolata.

SourceThe Illustrated Flora of British Columbia

Habitat and Range

Moist streambanks, shores, thickets, clearings, roadsides, and forest openings in the lowland zone; locally frequent on Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands; S to OR.

SourceThe Illustrated Flora of British Columbia