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Description
Scutellaria Incana, also known as Hoary Skullcap, is a herbaceous perennial plant that is native to North America. It belongs to the Lamiaceae family and is known for its medicinal properties. The plant grows up to 2-3 feet tall and has a spread of around 1-2 feet. It blooms in late spring to early summer and has beautiful blue-purple flowers that attract bees and butterflies.
Taxonomic Information
| Domain | Eukarya |
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Tracheophyta |
| Class | Magnoliopsida |
| Order | Lamiales |
| Family | Lamiaceae |
| Genus | Scutellaria |
Appearance
The Scutellaria Incana plant has square stems that are covered with fine white hair, giving it a hoary appearance. The leaves are opposite, ovate to lanceolate, and are gray-green in color. The flowers are tubular, two-lipped, and are blue-purple in color. They grow in clusters at the end of the stems and have a calyx that is covered in white hairs. The plant blooms in late spring to early summer and can continue blooming throughout the summer.
Care Guide
Scutellaria Incana is a low-maintenance plant that is easy to care for. Here are some tips to help you take care of this plant:
- Water: Water the plant regularly but make sure the soil is well-draining to prevent waterlogging.
- Fertilization: Fertilize the plant once a month during the growing season with a balanced fertilizer.
- Soil: The plant prefers well-draining soil that is rich in organic matter.
- Sunlight: The plant prefers full sun to partial shade.
- Hardiness Zones: The plant is hardy in zones 5-9.
Common Pests & Diseases
Scutellaria Incana is generally pest and disease-free. However, it can be susceptible to root rot if the soil is too wet. It can also be affected by powdery mildew if the air circulation is poor. Keeping the soil well-draining and providing good air circulation should prevent these issues.
Habitat
Scutellaria Incana is native to North America and can be found in prairies, meadows, and open woodlands. It prefers well-draining soils and can tolerate dry conditions.
Question and Answer
Q: Is Scutellaria Incana a medicinal plant?
A: Yes, Scutellaria Incana has been used in traditional medicine to treat anxiety, inflammation, and other ailments.
Q: Can Scutellaria Incana be grown in containers?
A: Yes, Scutellaria Incana can be grown in containers as long as they are large enough to accommodate the plant and the soil is well-draining.
Q: Does Scutellaria Incana attract pollinators?
A: Yes, Scutellaria Incana has beautiful blue-purple flowers that attract bees and butterflies.
Q: How often should Scutellaria Incana be fertilized?
A: Scutellaria Incana should be fertilized once a month during the growing season with a balanced fertilizer.
Related Plants
- Scutellaria lateriflora
- Scutellaria baicalensis
- Scutellaria galericulata
- Scutellaria integrifolia
References
- Missouri Botanical Garden. (n.d.). Scutellaria incana. Retrieved August 05, 2021, from https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=d170
- USDA Plants Database. (n.d.). Scutellaria incana. Retrieved August 05, 2021, from https://plants.usda.gov/home/plantProfile?symbol=SCIN4
- Wikipedia. (2021, June 30). Scutellaria incana. Retrieved August 05, 2021, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scutellaria_incana
