Balm-Leaved Figwort

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Balm-Leaved Figwort

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Scrophularia scorodonia var. papillaris
• Scrophularia scorodonia var. verticillata
• Scrophularia scorodonia f. glabrescens
• Scrophularia biserrata
• Scrophularia papillaris
• Scrophularia cantabrica
• Scrophularia scorodonia subsp. multiflora
• Scrophularia scorodonia var. glabrescens
• Scrophularia scorodonifolia
• Scrophularia tinantii
• Scrophularia crenata
• Scrophularia iberica
• Scrophularia scorodonia subvar. viridiflora
• Scrophularia scorodonia var. acutifolia
• Scrophularia scorodonia var. brevifolia
• Scrophularia scorodonia var. longepetiolata
• Scrophularia scorodonia var. multiflora
• Scrophularia scorodonia var. parvifolia
• Scrophularia scorodonia f. verticillata
• Scrophularia scorodonia subsp. tinantii

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, Scrophularia scorodonia, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Lamiales and the family Scrophulariaceae. Finally, it is identified under the genus Scrophularia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a widespread distribution across several key regions of the European continent. In Northern Europe, its presence can be observed within the borders of Great Britain. Moving into Middle Europe, the species is commonly found throughout Germany. The distribution extends significantly into Southwestern Europe, where it inhabits the landscapes of France. Furthermore, the plant is also native to the Iberian Peninsula, specifically occurring in both Portugal and Spain.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Scrophularia scorodonia is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. In terms of its structural growth strategy and ecological positioning, it is classified as a chamaephyte, a life form where the terminal buds are located close to the soil surface, often protected by leaf litter or ground cover during unfavorable conditions. This classification as a chamaephyte is consistent across its morphological descriptions, defining how the plant manages its seasonal cycles and maintains its biological presence within its natural habitat.

Life form :

chamaephyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Scrophularia scorodonia is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and a forb. As a self-supporting plant, it does not exhibit climbing behavior and functions as an independent organism, lacking any parasitic tendencies. The plant's stature varies significantly, with a minimum height of 0.5 m, a mean height of approximately 0.7 m, and a maximum height reaching up to 1.5 m.

Climber :

self-supporting

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1.5 m

Plant height mean:

0.7 m

Plant height min:

0.5 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Scrophularia scorodonia is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, a metabolic strategy typical of many temperate species that allows for efficient carbon fixation under moderate light and moisture conditions. Its vegetative structures exhibit significant morphological plasticity, specifically in the dimensions and shape of its foliage. The leaves possess a lanceolate form, with individual leaf lengths varying from a minimum of 2.5 cm to a maximum of 15 cm. Complementing this longitudinal variation is a broad range in leaf width, which spans from a narrow 0.5 cm to a substantial 10 cm, reflecting the plant's ability to optimize surface area for light interception and gas exchange within its ecological niche.

Leaf form :

lanceolate

Leaf length max:

15 cm

Leaf length min:

2.5 cm

Leaf width max:

10 cm

Leaf width min:

0.5 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Scrophularia scorodonia is characterized by a sexual process involving bisexual flowers, which ensures the potential for genetic diversity through biotic pollination. These flowers are green in color and typically measure between 0.6 cm and 1 cm in length. The flowering period is seasonal, beginning in March and concluding in June. Following successful pollination, the plant develops a brown capsule fruit, which is a dehiscent structure. These capsules vary in size, with a length ranging from 0.5 cm to 0.8 cm and a width between 0.4 cm and 0.7 cm. Within each fruit, a high volume of seeds is produced, often exceeding 1,000 seeds per capsule. The individual seeds are extremely lightweight, with a mean mass of 0.000129 g (ranging from a minimum of 0.00009 g to a maximum of 0.00017 g), a trait that facilitates an anemochorous dispersal syndrome, allowing the seeds to be carried effectively by the wind. Notably, self-fertilization is absent in this species, highlighting its reliance on external biotic agents for successful reproductive cycles.

Dehiscence :

dehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Flower colour :

green

Flower length max:

1 cm

Flower length min:

0.6 cm

Flowering time :

Mar

Flowering time :

Jun

Fruit colour :

brown

Fruit length max:

0.8 cm

Fruit length min:

0.5 cm

Fruit type :

capsule

Fruit width max:

0.7 cm

Fruit width min:

0.4 cm

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction sexual :

bisexual

Seed mass max:

0.00017 g

Seed mass mean:

0.000129 g

Seed mass min:

9e-05 g

Seeds_per_fruit :

>1000

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Scrophularia scorodonia has 20 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Harpagoside, 8-Acetylharpagide, Scorodioside, Verbascoside, 8-O-Acetylharpagide.

Harpagoside

1. Dr. Duke
2. Planta medica
3. Zeitschrift fur Naturforschung. C, Journal of biosciences

8-Acetylharpagide

1. Dr. Duke
2. Planta medica

Scorodioside

1. Dr. Duke
2. Planta medica

Verbascoside

1. Dr. Duke
2. Planta medica

8-O-Acetylharpagide

1. Dr. Duke

Aucubin

1. Dr. Duke

Aucuboside

1. Dr. Duke

Bartsioside

1. Dr. Duke

Buddlejasaponin I

1. Life sciences

Buddlejasaponin IV

1. Planta medica

Activities

Scrophularia scorodonia has 88 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Antiinflammatory, (+)-Inotropic, (-)-Chronotropic, (-)-Inotropic.

Antibacterial

1. Dr. Duke
2. Clinical and experimental pharmacology & physiology

Antiinflammatory

1. Dr. Duke
2. Life sciences

(+)-Inotropic

1. Dr. Duke

(-)-Chronotropic

1. Dr. Duke

(-)-Inotropic

1. Dr. Duke

ABeta-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

ACE-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Adaptogenic

1. Dr. Duke

Adenylate-Cyclase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Conditions

Scrophularia scorodonia has 2 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include immunomodulation, poliovirus type 1.

Immunomodulation

1. Clinical and experimental pharmacology & physiology

Poliovirus type 1

1. Planta medica