Al Schneider's Rocky Mountains Plant Descriptions

Lanceleaf Figwort
Scrophularia lanceolata
Figwort family (Scrophulariaceae)

The tiny flowers of Lanceleaf Figwort range from red, yellow, and orange to brown and green. Coupled to these tiny flowers is a tall plant with large leaves -- definitely an aesthetic mismatch. But Figwort doesn't seem to mind our values and often places itself in full view at trail-side -- especially in rocky areas. Where you find one plant you will almost always find others scattered about.

Linnaeus named this in 1753. "Scrophularia" is from the Latin for "a tumor or swelling." The name was given to this plant because of a bygone belief that it cured this human affliction. "Lanceolata" is Latin for "lance" and refers to the leaf shape. The Scrophularia is the source of the scientific family name "Scrophulariaceae," the Snap Dragon Family -- in much the same manner as the "Aster" is the source of Asteraceae, the Sunflower Family. Scrophularia lanceolata was first collected for science by Frederick Pursh in Pennsylvania early in the 1800s. The plant is found from coast to coast and in all states.


©2010 Keir Morse

Description

Coarse, caulescent , with stems to 50" or more tall. Stems 4-angled, to hairy below and in the . Leaves to 6" long and nearly 3" wide, , . narrow and . brown-red, 1/4+" long, somewhat constricted. a about 1/3" long.

Field Marks

Tall, slender plant with open sprays of very tiny flowers and scattered leaves.

© Al Schneider

A perennial plant lives and blooms for many years.

throat -- The opening of a flower.

corolla -- The name for all the petals of a flower taken together.

serrate -- toothed with asymmetrical teeth pointing forward; like the cutting edge of a saw.

Glands are plant structures that secrete liquids, salts or other substances. Glands often appear as hairs with a drop of liquid at the end.

capsule -- a type of simple, dry fruit produced by many species of flowering plants. In most cases the capsule splits apart to release seeds.

fruit -- any seed-bearing structure in flowering plants. It is formed from the ovary after flowering.

elongate -- long and thin, slender.

genus -- A subdivision of a botanical Family in which all members have a significant number of similar characteristics.

glabrous -- smooth, glossy, having no bristles or hair-like structures. Bald.

lanceolate -- Lance-shaped. Long, wider in the middle.

An inflorescence is a group or cluster of flowers arranged on a stem.