SKULLCAP

Scutellaria galericulata

Mint / Dead-Nettle Family [Lamiaceae]  

month8jun month8june month8jul month8july month8Aug month8sep month8sept

flower
flower8bicolour
flower
flower8blue
inner
inner8white
morph
morph8zygo
petals
petalsZ2
type
typeZfused
stem
stem8square

6th Sept 2005, Rufford Branch, Leeds & L/pool Canal. Photo: © RWD


13th Aug 2007, Kiveton Bridge, Chesterfield Canal. Photo: © RWD


13th Aug 2007, Kiveton Bridge, Chesterfield Canal. Photo: © RWD


13th Aug 2007, Kiveton Bridge, Chesterfield Canal. Photo: © RWD


19th Aug 2007, Wheelton, Leeds & Liverpool Canal. Photo: © RWD
Note the reddish, and square ribbed stems.


Hybridises with : Lesser Skullcap (Scutellaria minor) to produce Scutellaria × hybrida, which now only grows just south of London and near Portsmouth.

Very similar to: Lesser Skullcap, but that is pinkish-lilac rather than sky blueish.

FLAVONOIDS in SKULLCAP

Apigenin is a flavone which is responsible for the cancer prevention characteristics of several vegetables and fruits. It puts mammalian cells into autophagia, a kind of protective dormancy. Apigenin is a potent inhibitor of an enzyme responsible for the metabolisation of many pharmaceutical drugs within the human body, so should be regarded with care. It also induces resistance against chemotherapy.

Hispidulin is another flavone, this one can traverse the blood-brain barrier and has anti-convulsive effects. It is a moderator of central nervous system activity.

Luteolin, another flavone, is a free-radical scavenger and is thought to play a role as an anti-oxidant when in the human body. It moderates the immune system. It is most often found in the leaves of plants, but is also found in Celery, Dandelion, Thyme, Sage, Rosemary, Peppermint, Oregano and Carrots.

Skullcaps are well known for their rich variety and abundance of flavonoids, to which are ascribed most of the medicinal properties. The flavonoids include Apigenin, Hispidulin, Luteolin, Scutellarein and its glycoside Scutellarin (being Scutellarein-7-glucuronide). The first four are flavones. Scutellarin can be decomposed into Scutellarein on hydrolysis.

Skullcap also contains the iridoid glycoside Catalpol.


Distribution
family8mint family8Dead-Nettle  family8Lamiacaea

 BSBI maps
genus8Scutellaria
Scutellaria

SKULLCAP

Scutellaria galericulata

Mint / Dead-Nettle Family [Lamiaceae]  

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