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Scutellaria ocmulgee Small
Ocmulgee Skullcap
Federal Protection: No US federal protection
State Protection: Threatened
Global Rank: G2
State Rank: S2
Element Locations Tracked in Biotics: Yes
SWAP High Priority Species (SGCN): Yes
Element Occurrences (EOs) in Georgia: 29
Habitat Summary for element in Georgia: Mesic hardwood forests; bluff forests
Perennial herb with 4-sided stems 16 - 32 inches (40 - 80 cm) tall; the upper stem has 2 types of hairs: (1) short, pointed, upwardly-curved or spreading, non-glandular hairs, and (2) longer, straight, gland-tipped hairs (10x hand lens is needed to see the differences in the hairs). The leaves are up to 3 inches long, opposite, with rounded teeth; gland-tipped hairs are present on the leaf margins and on the veins on the lower leaf surface; the lower leaves are heart-shaped with rounded bases; upper and mid-stem leaves are oblong to oval with squared-off or tapered bases. The leaf stalks of mid- and lower stem are about half as long as the leaves. Flowers are 0.7 - 1 inch (1.8 - 2.3 cm) long, blue-violet and faintly fragrant, with an erect tube, hood-like upper lip, and down-curved, white-striped lower lip. A small green cup (calyx), with a conspicuous bump on the upper side, surrounds the base of the flower and the maturing fruit. Fruits consist of 4 tiny nutlets enclosed by the calyx.
Two common skullcaps with hairy stems occur with Scutellaria altamaha:
Hairy Skullcap (Scutellaria elliptica) has longer leaf stalks and non-glandular, rough-hairy, coarsely toothed leaves. Its flowers are usually less than 0.4 inch (1 cm) long, and the lower lip has a pure white patch without a purple stripe.
Hoary Skullcap (Scutellaria incana) is 24 - 39 inches (60 - 100 cm) tall, with leaf stalks about 0.4 - 1.2 inch (1 - 3 cm) long. The lower lip has a pure white patch without a purple stripe.
Scutellaria ocmulgee grows near and can be confused with two other rare species, Scutellaria altamaha and Scutellaria mellichampii; see the links below for descriptions of these species.
Ten species of Scutellaria are rare in Georgia:
Scutellaria altamaha (Altamaha Skullcap) occurs in deciduous woodlands over sandy or rocky soils in southeast Georgia. For more information, see: https://www.georgiabiodiversity.org/portal/profile?group=plants&es_id=22389
Scutellaria arenicola (Sandhill Skullcap) occurred in sandy scrub in southeast Georgia; it has not been seen in Georgia since 1950. For more information, see: https://www.georgiabiodiversity.org/portal/profile?group=plants&es_id=18230
Scutellaria drummondii (Drummond's Skullcap) occurs in Black Belt prairies in middle Georgia. For more information, see: https://www.georgiabiodiversity.org/portal/profile?group=plants&es_id=32153
Scutellaria leonardii (Glade Skullcap) occurs on limestone cedar glades in northwest Georgia. For more information, see: https://www.georgiabiodiversity.org/portal/profile?group=plants&es_id=16064
Scutellaria mellichampii (Mellichamp’s Skullcap) occurs in mixed hardwood-Spruce Pine forests over high-calcium soils on river bluffs. For more information, see: https://www.georgiabiodiversity.org/portal/profile?group=plants&es_id=15605
Scutellaria montana (Large-flowered Skullcap) occurs in moist hardwood and hardwood-pine forests with few shrubs in northwest Georgia. For more information, see: https://www.georgiabiodiversity.org/portal/profile?group=plants&es_id=20397
Scutellaria nervosa (Bottomland Skullcap) occurs in bottomland forests in northwest and lower Piedmont Georgia. For more information, see: https://www.georgiabiodiversity.org/portal/profile?group=plants&es_id=16063
Scutellaria pseudoserrata (Southern Showy Skullcap) occurs in dry to moist mixed hardwood-pine forests just north of the western Fall Line and in northwest Georgia. For more information, see: https://www.georgiabiodiversity.org/portal/profile?group=plants&es_id=19755
Scutellaria saxatilis (Rock Skullcap) occurs in rocky forests in the southern Appalachians. For more information, see: https://www.georgiabiodiversity.org/portal/profile?group=plants&es_id=21356
Scutellaria serrata (Showy Skullcap) occurs in rich forests in the southern Appalachians. For more information, see: https://www.georgiabiodiversity.org/portal/profile?group=plants&es_id=18063
Moist hardwood forests on stream terraces, slopes, and bluffs, usually with a northern or eastern aspect, and in calcium-rich soils along the Savannah River.
Ocmulgee Skullcap is a perennial herb that reproduces sexually by seed; little else is known about the life history of this species. Other skullcap species are typically pollinated by long-tongued bees and moths; wasps are known to cut holes in the base of some skullcap flower tubes and suck out nectar without carrying out the pollination that bees do. Research on the closely related Scutellaria montana found that species to have low seed set and very low pollinator visitation. Fruits are small nutlets that are dispersed by gravity.
Surveys are best conducted during flowering (late June–early October).
Georgia and South Carolina.
Destruction of habitat by logging and clearing, especially for developments on river bluffs. Invasion by exotic pest plant species such as Kudzu, Japanese Honeysuckle, Chinese Privet, Japanese Stilt-grass, Thorny Olive, and Autumn Olive. Overbrowsing by deer. Rooting by feral hogs.
Scutellaria ocmulgee is ranked S2 by the the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, indicating that the species is imperiled in Georgia. Recent (2018) field surveys for this species found that Georgia plants growing east of the Ocmulgee River watershed and west of the Savannah River watershed and previously identified as Scutellaria ocmulgee should be reclassified as Scutellaria mellichampii. As a result, the number of actual populations of S. ocmulgee in Georgia has been reduced to 8, the extent of its range has contracted, and its preferred habitat has narrowed. Populations are found at two conservation areas.
Prevent clearcutting and development on river bluffs and stream terraces where this species grows. . Protect populations from upslope erosion on bluffs and ridges. Eradicate exotic pest species from sites occupied by S. ocmulgee, including feral hogs, Japanese Honeysuckle, Chinese Privet, and Autumn Olive. Limit the size of Georgia’s deer population. Conduct research on the species' life history, ecological requirements, and reproductive biology.
Bradley, K.A. 2019. Status survey of Scutellaria ocmulgee in southeast Georgia and adjacent South Carolina. Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division, Social Circle, Georgia.
Chafin, L.G. 2007. Field guide to the rare plants of Georgia. State Botanical Garden of Georgia and University of Georgia Press, Athens.
Morris, M.W., E. Van De Genachte, T. Patrick, S. Cammack. 2000. Reconnaissance for the Ocmulgee skullcap (Scutellaria ocmulgee). Tipularia, Journal of the Georgia Botanical Society 15: 27-32.
NatureServe. 2020. Scutellaria ocmulgee species account. NatureServe Explorer. Arlington, Virginia. https://explorer.natureserve.org/Taxon/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.141673/Scutellaria_ocmulgee.
Patrick, T.S., J.R. Allison, and G.A. Krakow. 1995. Protected plants of Georgia. Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Natural Heritage Program, Social Circle.
Small, J.K. 1898. Studies in the botany of the southeastern United States, XIII. Bulletin of the Torrey Botanical Club 25: 134-151. https://www.jstor.org/stable/2477711
Weakley, A.S. 2015. Flora of the southern and mid-Atlantic States. University of North Carolina Herbarium, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. http://www.herbarium.unc.edu/flora.htm
Linda G. Chafin
L.Chafin, Aug. 2008: original account.
D.Weiler, Jan. 2010: added pictures.
L.Chafin, May 2020: updated original account.
