Small Skullcap (scutellaria parvula)

Small perennial herb only 4-8" tall, often with several stems together arising from a thin rhizome; 4-angled sems have spreading glandular hairs. 

Leaves: opposite, hairy, sessile, to 0.6" long, ovate to nearly round, obscurely toothed, 3-5 veins on each side of the midrib. 

Flowers: blue to violet corolla, to 0.3" long, with dark spots on the inside of the lower lip; calyx usually reddish and glandular hairy; flowers arise from the axils of foilage leaves. 

Bloom time: April - June.

Where found: Cedar glades, prairies, and upland woods, from Quebec to ND, south to FL and TX. In TN, primarily the Central Basin and Western Highland Rim, thinly scattered elsewhere. Occasional. 

Note: The species name parvula means "very small, insignificant" in reference to the size of the overall plant, as well as he diminutive size of the flowers. Small Skullcap is also called Little Skullcap and is the smallest skullcap in our area and can easily be overlooked.