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.

PEDICULARIS

LOUSEWORT

Linda Ann Vorobik

Perennial, green root-parasites
Stems decumbent to erect, generally 1–several from generally short caudex
Leaves alternate, generally ± basal, generally < inflorescence, crenate to divided, generally reduced upward; petiole generally < blade
Inflorescence: raceme, spike-like; bracts (at least lower) generally ± like upper leaves; pedicels 1–6 mm
Flower: calyx lobes (2,4) generally 5, uppermost generally shortest (all generally < tube), lateral fused in pairs; corolla white or yellow to red or purple, upper lip hood-, beak-, or trunk-like, lower lip 3-lobed, narrow to fan-shaped, central lobe generally smallest; fertile stamens 4, generally glabrous, anthers generally included; stigma head-like, generally exserted
Fruit loculicidal, generally ± ovoid, asymmetric, opening mostly on upper side
Seed smooth or netted
Species in genus: ± 500 species: cool wet n temp, circumboreal, South America
Etymology: (Latin: lice, from belief that ingestion by stock promoted lice infestation)
Reference: [Macior 1977 Bull Torrey Bot Club 104: 148–154]

Native

P. attollens A. Gray

LITTLE ELEPHANT'S HEAD

Stem 6–60 cm, tomentose above
Leaves: basal 3–20 cm, ± linear; segments 17–41, linear, toothed
Inflorescence 2–30 cm; bracts tomentose, < flowers
Flower: calyx 4–6 mm, tomentose; corolla 4.5–7 mm, light pink to purple, marked darker, glabrous, upper lip 3.5–6 mm, trunk-like, curved upward, beak 3–5 mm, lower lip 3–5 mm, ± fan-like; anthers ± 1 mm, bases obtuse
Fruit 6–10 mm
Seed 2.5–4 mm, finely netted
Ecology: Wet meadows, streamsides, bogs
Elevation: 1500–3900 m.
Bioregional distribution: Klamath Ranges, Cascade Range, High Sierra Nevada, Modoc Plateau, White and Inyo Mountains
Distribution outside California: Oregon
Flowering time: Jun–Sep
Horticultural information: very DFCLT.