Images: ©Jouko Lehmuskallio
Common Figwort
Scrophularia nodosa
- Family: Figwort Family – Scrophulariaceae
- Height: 30–100 cm (12–40 in.)
- Flower: Corolla bilabiate, 7–10 mm (ca. 0.3–0.4 in.) long. Upper lip brownish-red, deeply cleft, almost straight. Lower lip green, 3-lobed, lobes broader than long, central lobe reflexed. Calyx hairless, 5-lobed, one lobe longer than the others. Pistil of 2 fused carpels, ovary 2-parted, style solitary. Stamens 5, one of which nonfunctional and attached to the upper corolla-lip, the four others attached at base of corolla. Anthers yellow.
- Leaves: Opposite. Stalked, blade hairless, ovate, with blunt or cordate base and toothed margins.
- Fruit: A sharp-pointed two-valved capsule.
- Habitat: Rich, moist forests and scrub, broadleaf woods, ditchbanks, gardens.
- Flowering time: July–August.
The perennial common figwort has fairly small and inconspicuously coloured flowers. Hence, the plant may be difficult to notice despite its large overall size. It is, however, easy to identify by the opposite leaves and drop-shaped capsules. The leaves have a characteristic, unpleasant smell. The rhizome of the common figwort has nodular tubers and was formerly used as a remedy against cancer and some other diseases.
