Heart-leaved Skullcap (Scutellaria ovata ssp. ovata)

Life history

Species overview

Heart-leaved Skullcap (Scutellaria ovata ssp. ovata), a Wisconsin Special Concern plant, is found in dry-mesic forests. Blooming occurs early June through late July; fruiting occurs late July through late August. The optimal identification period for this species is early June through late July.

Synonyms: Scutellaria cordifolia, Scutellaria mississippiensis, Scutellaria ovata, Scutellaria ovata ssp. calcarea, Scutellaria ovata ssp. mississippiensis, Scutellaria ovata var. versicolor, Scutellaria versicolor

Identification

• Distinguishing characteristics: Leaves firm, 5 to 8 cm when well developed; bracts regularly exceeding the calyx, sometimes exceeding the corolla, sometimes petiolate and dentate.
• Flower characteristics: Flowers blue or violet, seldom pink or white, on 1 or more racemes, to 1 dm; corolla 10 to 25 mm; lower bracts very different from the adjacent foliage leaves.
• Fruit characteristics: Nutlets orange; seeds brown, often banded toward base and with pegs.
• Leaf characteristics: Opposite, long-petioled, ovate to round-ovate, crenate (usually more than 12 teeth on each side), cordate at the base.

Phenology

• Blooming phenology: early June through late July
• Fruiting phenology: late July through late August
• Optimum time to identify: The optimal identification period for this species is early June through late July

Other

• Growth form: Forb-erect
• Vegetative reproduction: Rhizomatous
• Life cycle: Perennial
• Comments: Associated Species: Acer saccharum, Tilia americana, Quercus alba, Ostrya virginiana, Arisaema triphyllum, Allium tricoccum, Adiantum pedatum, Lithospermum latifolium, Actaea rubra, Juglans nigra, Cacalia muehlenbergii.

State status

Status and Natural Heritage Inventory documented occurrences in Wisconsin

The table below provides information about the protected status - state and federal - and the rank (S and G Ranks) for Heart-leaved Skullcap (Scutellaria ovata ssp. ovata). See the Working List Key for more information about abbreviations. Counties shaded blue have documented occurrences for this species in the Wisconsin Natural Heritage Inventory database. The map is provided as a general reference of where this species has been found to date and is not meant as a range map.

Habitats and landscapes

The Natural Heritage Inventory has developed scores indicating the degree to which each of Wisconsin's rare plant species is associated with a particular natural community or ecological landscape. This information is similar to that found in the Wildlife Action Plan for animals. As this is a work in progress, we welcome your suggestions and feedback.

General habitat information

• Habitat description: Found in dry-mesic forests.
• Soils: Clayey or rocky soils.

Natural communities

This table lists the natural communities that are associated with Heart-leaved Skullcap. Scores for natural community associations are: "significant" association (score=3), "moderate association" (score=2) or the species can be present but is only weakly associated with the community (score=1).

Ecological landscapes

This table lists the ecological landscape association scores for Heart-leaved Skullcap. The scores (3=High, 2=Moderate, 1=Low, 0=None) also correspond to the map.

Species guidance

The Endangered Resources Program has developed avoidance measures and management guidelines for plants on the Natural Heritage Working List. These are a work in progress, and we welcome your suggestions and feedback. Sources used in developing this information can be found here.

Avoidance measures

These are specific actions designed to avoid "take" (mortality) of this species.

• Avoid known individual plant locations and conduct operations elsewhere when they are least likely to cause damage. Ideally, this would involve frozen, snow-covered ground. However, in areas of the state where frozen conditions are unreliable, very dry soils late in the growing season might be the best available alternative. Consult with a biologist, if needed.
• Avoid broadcast spraying of herbicides; use care with spot spraying.

Management guidance

Management guidelines are additional considerations that may help maintain or enhance habitat for this species

• Survey for and control invasive plants prior to conducting timber operations, as these can be spread by vehicles and often respond vigorously to increased light; see forestry BMPs for invasive species.
• Although maintaining high overall forest canopy is important, silvicultural techniques which open small gaps in the canopy may be beneficial to this species.

Other resources

Links to additional Heart-leaved Skullcap information

Other links related to vascular plants (all exit the DNR website)

• Wisconsin Flora
• NatureServe Explorer
• Atlas of Wisconsin Prairie and Savanna Flora - Wisconsin State Herbarium
• USDA - NRCS Plants Database
• USGS Midwestern Wetland Flora - field office guide to plant species
• eFloras
• Cofrin Center for Biodiversity Herbarium
• Intermountain Herbarium Grasses of North America
• Orchids of Wisconsin

Photos

Click to view a larger version. Please considering donating a photo to the Natural Heritage Conservation Program for educational uses. Photo use