Seasonal Wild Flowers

Common Figwort

Scrophularia nodosa

Scrophulariaceae

Figwort

May to August

It is found throughout the country.

See the BSBI distribution map for Common Figwort

It grows in open and shady woodland, hedge banks, beside

water and on waste ground.

Common Figwort is a native, rhizomatous, perennial herb,

growing up to 1m.

The flowers are up to 1cm long.

The corolla is a bulbous tube with overarching reddish

purple petals.

There are 4 fertile stamens and a broad, infertile, purple,

staminlode below the upper lip of the corolla.

The stigma is capitate, below the stamens.

Sepal lobes have a pale border.

Fruits are globular capsules, turning black with age.

Leaves are up to 13cm long, oval and toothed.

There are no small leaflets as in Water Figwort (June).

Stems are green, square and grooved, but not winged.

Common Figwort at the edge of a wood

Flowers and fruits

Close-up of flower - 4 stamens, purple staminode

Stamens, staminode and stigma

Leaf (no small leaflets)

Square stem; sepal lobes with pale border