Hardy Halloween herb

     What better plant to pick up this week of Halloween than Skullcap? Properly known as Scutellaria lateriflora, this hardy perennial herb of the mint family is a North American native--guaranteed to flourish in the northeastern U.S.
     Its upright growth reaches, on average, about three feet, with rich, ridged leaves and delicate, bi-lobed blue flowers (which resemble the military helmets worn by early European settlers, and are, therefore named for them). The interesting thing about the buds is that they grow along the main spike--not on top of it--producing a "nodding" effect, which fills in nicely between other plants. 
     Another plus, in my opinion, is that this wetland-loving species thrives in meadows, and near marshes and other wet habitat--places that aren't always conducive to flowering plants. Is there a better place for a Halloween plant to flourish than in a swamp? Well, maybe a graveyard.
     Historically, the plant was used to treat insomnia and spasms--even rabies! In fact, settlers in the late 1700's promoted the herb's effectiveness as a rabies cure, giving rise to one of its common names: mad dog weed. This claim was later discarded. Ya think? I wouldn't suggest using it medicinally for any kind of bite...perhaps a vampire bite....
    Seriously though, the plant is known to have substantial medicinal value. I don't promote products on this site, or make medical claims of any kind. If you want to use this herb as a remedy of any kind, you're on your own. But if you want to plant it in your shady, boggy garden, I'm right there with you. In fact, I plan on hunting for this gem now, before the first frost hits my region.