Low-growing plant with pairs of tiny blue flowers that have centers mottled with white, lasting from May-July. The flowers emerge where leaves attach and are followed by seed capsules with two lips, tiny but interesting. As a means to spread, underground stems produce tubers that resemble a string of beads. Host plant for larvae of the skullcap skeletonizer moth.
Native Plant Database
Header Photo: Mervin Wallace
Small Skullcap
Scutellaria parvula
Plant Type: Herbaceous Perennials
Native Environment: Glade, Prairie, Savanna / Woodland
Season of Interest: Mid (May - June), Late (July - frost)
Main Color: Blue
Fall Color:
USDA PLANTS Range Map
At the range map link above, zoom in for county-level data
Photo: Mervin Wallace
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Soil
Moisture
Dry, Moderate
Nature Attracting
Butterfly, Pollinators/Beneficial Insects
Wildlife Benefit
Butterfly / Moth Host, Food/Pollinators
Animal
Resistance
Deer Resistant, Rabbit Resistant
Size
Height:
6 to
12
inches
Spread:
6 to
10
inches
Size
Height: 6 to
12
inches
Spread: 6 to
10
inches
Size
Height: 6 to
12
inches
Spread: 6 to
10
inches
Typical Landscape Use
Planted with other short species; good for rock gardens. Containers.
Establishment and Care Instructions
Plant in full sun and moderate-to-dry soil.
Special Features
Special Usage
Containers, Ground Cover
Basic Description
Where Should I Start?
Check out the Grow Native! Committee’s Top Ten picks of native plants for a particular purpose.
What’s the Next Step?
Picked out your plants? View our Resource Guide of garden centers, seed sources, landscapers, education resources, and more!
Where Can I Find This Plant in Nature?
Learn about the Native Environment(s) inhabited by the plants in this database.