Scrophularia marilandica L.

Maryland Figwort; Carpenter's Square; Eastern Figwort

Herb

Perennial

Vascular

Maryland Figwort is a native herbaceous perennial in the Figwort family (Scrophulariaceae). It is found primarily in northeast and southwest Alabama. Maryland Figwort occurs in rocky woods, around outcrops, on roadside banks, and in cedar glade. It is a perennial from a woody caudex. Stems are erect, grooved, branched, 3-5 feet in height, square in cross section, and glabrous or pubescent at the nodes. The leaves are opposite, petiolate, ovate to lanceolate in outline, glabrous to slightly pubescent, with serrate or dentate margins. Flowers are produced in panicles that are glandular pubescent at the nodes. Individual flowers have 5 green sepals. The corolla is 2-lipped with the upper two lobes longer than the lower three lobes. The corolla is reddish-brown in color. The fruit is a round capsule. A tea brewed from the roots was once used to treat fevers and piles. Maryland Figwort is sometimes available from native plant nurseries. The small flowers produce abundant nectar and are often visited by butterflies, native bees, and hummingbirds. It is deer resistant. Maryland Figwort can be used in a pollinator garden or planted along a fence or woodline.—A. Diamond.

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Native

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