''Scrophularia lanceolata'' is a species of flowering plant in the
figwort family known by the common names lanceleaf figwort and American figwort. It is native to North America, where it is known from western and eastern Canada and much of the United States except for the southeastern quadrant. Past common names include Western figwort when the western US plants were grouped under the name ''Scrophularia occidentalis'' and the eastern US plants were called ''Scrophularia leporella'' with the common name hare figwort.
Gentianaceae to Compositae; gentian to thistle
'. Dover Publications; 1970. . p. 180.
Description and habitat
''Scrophularia lanceolata'' is a perennial herb producing clusters of erect or spreading stems up to 1.5 meters long. The oppositely arranged leaves have toothed, triangular or lance-shaped blades up to long which are borne on short
petioles. The
inflorescence
In botany, an inflorescence is a group or cluster of flowers arranged on a plant's Plant stem, stem that is composed of a main branch or a system of branches. An inflorescence is categorized on the basis of the arrangement of flowers on a mai ...
is a wide-open
panicle
In botany, a panicle is a much-branched inflorescence. (softcover ). Some authors distinguish it from a compound spike inflorescence, by requiring that the flowers (and fruit) be pedicellate (having a single stem per flower). The branches of a p ...
with several hairy, glandular branches bearing flowers. The
flower
Flowers, also known as blooms and blossoms, are the reproductive structures of flowering plants ( angiosperms). Typically, they are structured in four circular levels, called whorls, around the end of a stalk. These whorls include: calyx, m ...
has a spherical or
urn-shaped corolla opening at the top into a narrow mouth edged with hoodlike lobes. The corolla is roughly long and is greenish tinged with brown or dull pink. The wide
staminode
In botany, a staminode is an often rudimentary, sterile or abortive stamen, which means that it does not produce pollen.Jackson, Benjamin, Daydon; ''A Glossary of Botanic Terms with their Derivation and Accent''; Published by Gerald Duckworth & Co ...
is generally visible in the mouth of the
corolla. The ripe fruit is a brown, teardrop-shaped capsule just under a centimeter long, containing many very small black
seed
In botany, a seed is a plant structure containing an embryo and stored nutrients in a protective coat called a ''testa''. More generally, the term "seed" means anything that can be Sowing, sown, which may include seed and husk or tuber. Seeds ...
s which are released when the capsule splits in half.
It grows part shade to full sun; ''Scrophularia lanceolata'' is found in open woods, thickets, along roadsides, and railroad rightaways, and in open fields.
The plant has been used medicinally to treat swollen glands.
References
External links
Jepson Manual TreatmentWashington Burke MuseumPhoto gallery
lanceolata
Plants described in 1813
Flora of Northern America
{{Scrophulariaceae-stub