Mad-Dog Skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora)

Mad-Dog Skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora) is an erect perennial herb 1-2 ft. tall, from slender rhizomes, the solitary stem freely branched, smooth or hairy in lines. Leaves: opposite, ovate, or narrowly ovate, 1-3" long, with a rounded bases and pointed tip, toothed, pinnately veined, petioled. Flowers are blue or pink, very small (0.4" long), the tube nearly straight; 2-lipped corolla, lower lip longer than upper; borne in numerous, axillary, 1-sided racemes, 1-4" long, the flowers are often paired. 

Bloom Time: July - September. Where found: Moist to wet areas over much of the U.S. and Candada. Throughout TN, usually in small populations. 

Notes:  The leaves of this plant were made into tea that was once used as a folk remedy to treat rabies. A potent tea was also used as a sedative, nerve tonic, and antispasmodic for a variety of nervous conditions, including anxiety, epilepsy, and insomnia.