SCROPHULARIACEAE

FIGWORT FAMILY

Lawrence R. Heckard, Family Coordinator

Annual to shrubs, generally glandular, some green root-parasites
Stem generally round
Leaves generally alternate, simple, generally ± entire; stipules generally 0
Inflorescence: spike to panicle, generally bracted, or flowers 1–2 in axils
Flower bisexual; calyx lobes generally 5; corolla generally strongly bilateral, generally 2-lipped (upper lip generally 2-lobed, lower lip generally 3-lobed); stamens generally 4 in 2 pairs, generally included, a 5th (generally uppermost) sometimes present as a staminode; pistil 1, ovary superior, chambers generally 2, placentas axile, style 1, stigma lobes generally 2
Fruit: capsule, generally ± ovoid, loculicidal or septicidal
Seed: coat sculpture often characteristic
Genera in family: ± 200 genera, 3000 species: ± worldwide; some cultivated as ornamental (e.g., Antirrhinum, Mimulus, Penstemon ) or medicinal (Digitalis )
Recent taxonomic note: Recently treated to include only Buddleja, Scrophularia, and Verbascum in CA; other genera moved to Orobanchaceae (Castilleja, Cordylanthus, Orthocarpus, Pedicularis, Triphysaria), Phrymaceae (Mimulus), and Plantaginaceae (= Veronicaceae sensu Olmstead et al.)
Key to genera by Elizabeth Chase Neese & Margriet Wetherwax.

ANTIRRHINUM

SNAPDRAGON

David M. Thompson

Annual, perennial herb, glabrous to hairy
Stem vine-like, ascending or erect, often clinging by twining pedicels or branchlets
Leaves generally opposite below, alternate above, generally reduced upward; veins pinnate
Inflorescence: raceme or flowers solitary in axils
Flowers often cleistogamous; uppermost calyx lobe generally largest; corolla tube of opening flowers truncate or with rounded sac-like extension at base, lower lip base generally swollen and closing mouth; staminode 0
Fruit ovoid to spheric; chambers generally dehiscent by 1–2 pores near tip, lower chamber generally larger, upper sometimes indehiscent
Seeds many, generally with tubercles or netted ridges
Species in genus: 36 species: w North America, w Medit
Etymology: (Greek: nose-like, from corolla shape)
Reference: [Thompson 1988 Syst Bot Monogr 22:1–142]

Native

A. cornutum Benth.

Annual, hairy
Stem erect, self-supporting
Leaves not reduced upward
Inflorescence: flowers solitary; pedicels generally 1–2 mm, subtending branchlets 0
Flower: calyx lobes equal; corolla 9–11 mm, white, veins violet, lower lip base rounded, with dense cylindric hairs
Fruit: upper chamber indehiscent
Chromosomes: n=16
Ecology: Uncommon. Dry stream margins, disturbed areas, often on serpentine
Elevation: 0–1220 m.
Bioregional distribution: Inner North Coast Ranges, w Cascade Range, n Sacramento Valley
Horticultural information: DRN, SUN: 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24.