Mad Dog Skullcap
Scutellaria lateriflora, also know as Mad Dog, Side-flowering, or Blue Skullcap, is a perennial wildflower native to Michigan and the U.P. It has tiny flowers that look like they were crafted for fairies, but are really a perfect fit for tiny native bees and other pollinators. The flowers bloom in succession from summer to fall.
Mad Dog Skullcap tops out around 2 feet in height, and prefers moist to wet soil with some richness. This plant can go from full sun to full shade, but prefers partial shade. It has a sprawling growth habit which is exaggerated in full shade. It is found in a variety of habitats. On our property, Mad Dog Skullcap is found in the woods near natural springs. It also favors moist meadows, marshes, ponds, bogs, shores, and riverbanks. It spreads by rhizome, but not aggressively.
The name comes from the disproven idea that the plant was a cure for rabies, plus the unusual shape of the tubular flowers. To me they look similar to snap dragons, but someone in the past thought either they or the seed capsules looked like helmets. This plant is bitter and resistant to deer and rabbits. It has a history of being used medicinally. Good addition to a rain garden, moist shade garden, or fairy garden.