Oregon Figwort

Scrophularia californica

Native to:
Canada, Mexico, United States

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Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Scrophulariaceae
Genus:
Scrophularia
Species:
Scrophularia californica
USDA Symbol:
SCOR

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:
Perennial
Growth Habit:
Forb/herb
Height:
150 cm
Light Requirements:
Full Sun
Drought Tolerance:
Medium
Bloom Months:
feb,mar,apr,may,jun,jul
Bloom Colors:
red, maroon

Wildlife Benefits

Bees:
★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
Butterflies & Moths:
★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)

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), ⚠️Western honey bee (Apis mellifera), Yellow-faced bumble bee (Bombus vosnesenskii) Hummingbirds: Anna's Hummingbird (Calypte anna) Moths:Autographa labrosa Butterflies:Variable checkerspot (Euphydryas chalcedona)

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:
hummingbirds, native bees, butterflies
Deer Resistant:
Yes
Fire Ecology:
Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
Fire Notes:
Resprouts from root crown after fire; common in post-fire chaparral and coastal scrub recovery.

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:
Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
Germination Time:
14–42 days
Notes:
Seeds require light for germination; surface sow and do not cover.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI