State Status: SC
Federal Status: none
State Rank: S3
Global Rank: G5TNR
Photo by Robert H. Read
Counties with Mapped NHI Occurrences
Heart-leaved Skullcap (Scutellaria ovata ssp. ovata), a Wisconsin Special Concern plant, is found in dry-mesic forests. Blooming occurs early-June through late-July, fruiting late-July through late-August. The optimal identification period for this species is early-June through July.
Scutellaria ovata, Scutellaria ovata var. versicolor
Heart-leaved skullcap is an erect forb with flowers that are blue or violet and seldom pink or white, on one or more racemes to 1dm. Corolla are 10-25mm. Lower bracts are very different from the adjacent foliage leaves and they regularly exceed the calyx, sometimes exceed the corolla, and sometimes the petiolate and dentate. It has orange nutlets with brown seed that are often banded toward the base with pegs. Leaves are opposite, firm, 5-8cm when well developed, long-petioled, ovate to round-ovate, crenate (usually more than 12 teeth on each side), and cordate at the base.
Rhizomatous. Blooming occurs early-June through late-July, fruiting late-July through late-August.
Perennial. The optimal identification period for this species is early-June through July.
Associated species include Acer saccharum, Tilia americana, Quercus alba, Ostrya virginiana, Arisaema triphyllum, Allium tricoccum, Adiantum pedatum, Lithospermum latifolium, Actaea rubra, Juglans nigra, and Cacalia muehlenbergii.
Heart-leaved skullcap is found in dry-mesic forests with clayey or rocky soils.
Avoid known individual plant locations and conduct operations elsewhere when they are least likely to cause damage. Ideally, this would involve frozen, snow-covered ground. However, in areas of the state where frozen conditions are unreliable, very dry soils late in the growing season might be the best available alternative. Consult with a biologist, if needed.
Avoid broadcast spraying of herbicides and use care with spot spraying.
Survey for and control invasive plants prior to conducting timber operations, as these can be spread by vehicles and often respond vigorously to increased light. See forestry BMPs for invasive species.
Although maintaining high overall forest canopy is important, silvicultural techniques that open small gaps in the canopy may be beneficial to this species. Seedlings and saplings of some species in openings may need to be protected from deer browse.
Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) are associated with habitats (or natural communities) and places on the landscape. Understanding relationships among SGCN, natural communities and ecological landscapes help us make decisions about issues affecting SGCN and their habitat and how to respond. Download the Wildlife Action Plan association score spreadsheet to explore rare species, natural communities and ecological landscape associations
Conservation actions respond to issues or threats, which adversely affect species of greatest conservation need (SGCN) or their habitats. Besides actions such as restoring wetlands or planting resilient tree species in northern communities, research, surveys and monitoring are also among conservation actions described in the Wisconsin Wildlife Action Plan because lack of information can threaten our ability to successfully preserve and care for natural resources.
