California Figwort
Scrophularia californica
Also known as: Oregon Figwort
Gordon Leppig & Andrea J. Pickart
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Scrophulariaceae
- Genus:
- Scrophularia
- Species:
- Scrophularia californica
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 4-6 ft
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- mar, apr, may, jul
- Bloom Colors:
- Red, Green
Native Range
United States: California, Oregon, Washington, Canada: British Columbia
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Amblyptilia pica, Autographa labrosa, chalcedony midget (Elaphria chalcedonia), Clepsis fucana, omnivorous leaftier (Cnephasia longana), orange tortrix moth (Argyrotaenia citrana), orange tortrix moth (Argyrotaenia franciscana), Phymatopus hectoides, white-shouldered fruit moth (Ptycholoma peritana), Variable checkerspot (Euphydryas chalcedona)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Bees: Crotch bumble bee (Bombus crotchii), Crotch bumble bee (Bombus crotchii), Forest bumble bee (Bombus sylvicola), Forest bumble bee (Bombus sylvicola), Nevada bumble bee (Bombus nevadensis), Nevada bumble bee (Bombus nevadensis), Obscure bumble bee (Bombus caliginosus), Obscure bumble bee (Bombus caliginosus), Sitka bumble bee (Bombus sitkensis), Sitka bumble bee (Bombus sitkensis), van Dyke bumble bee (Bombus vandykei), van Dyke bumble bee (Bombus vandykei), Yellow head bumble bee (Bombus flavifrons), Yellow head bumble bee (Bombus flavifrons), Yellow-faced bumble bee (Bombus vosnesenskii), Yellow-faced bumble bee (Bombus vosnesenskii)
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- thrives in coastal and woodland areas
Germination Information
Pre-treatment: None required
Establishment: Seeds are collected between May 15th and September 15th. Mature inflorescences are brown. Seed is tiny. S. californica is found in damp places and brushy thickets from the Santa Monica mountains, California, north to British Columbia.
Source: npn.rngr.net