Scrophularia peregrina

Morphological description

Annual herbaceous plant with an erect and branched habit, with a height ranging from 30 to 80 cm. The stem is quadrangular, often reddish in color, hollow inside, and generally glabrous with sparse glandular hairs. The plant has a root system consisting of a thin, taproot.

The lower leaves have a petiole 6 to 10 cm long and present a blade of triangular shape with a cordate base, measuring about 3-5 cm wide by 4-6 cm long; the margin is irregularly toothed. The lower cauline leaves are arranged oppositely, while the upper ones are alternate, sessile, and similar to the basal leaves but smaller and progressively reduced towards the apex of the stem.

The flowers are gathered in scapose inflorescences, that is, elongated racemes often leafless. They have a calyx 4-5 mm long with lanceolate, acute lobes, lacking a membranous margin. The corolla is purplish-amaranth or brownish-reddish in color, 5 to 7 mm long, with a dilated throat. The staminode is spatulate or suborbicular, and the stamens are included within the corolla. The flowers are arranged in rather sparse axillary cymes, forming a long leafy panicle.

The fruit is a bivalve septicidal capsule, subspherical, smooth, about 4-5 mm in diameter, with an apical mucro about 1 mm long.

Habitat and distribution

This is a species with a steno-Mediterranean distribution, mainly present along the coasts of the Mediterranean basin, particularly in the Olive region. In Italy, it is reported in coastal and subcoastal areas, up to an altitude of about 900 meters.

It grows mainly in uncultivated environments, along hedges, vineyards, and fresh grassy areas typical of Mediterranean zones. It prefers well-drained soils and sunny or partially shaded exposures.

Flowering period

Flowering occurs mainly between April and June, with possible variations related to local climatic conditions. In warmer Mediterranean territories, flowering may start earlier and end within the summer months.

Ecology and pollination

The plant adopts a reproductive strategy based on entomophilous pollination, favored by the presence of flowers colored in shades of amaranth and brownish-red, which attract pollinating insects. The most common pollinating insects are probably hymenopterans and dipterans, attracted by the shape and colors of the corolla.

Seed dispersal occurs through the bivalve capsule which, at maturity, opens releasing the seeds into the surrounding environment, facilitating colonization of suitable new habitats.

Curiosities and traditional uses

The genus name recalls ancient beliefs related to scrofula, a disease causing lymphatic swellings in the neck. It was believed that plants of this genus had therapeutic properties against this pathology. However, no specific and documented food uses or medicinal applications are known for this species in Italy.

Etymology

The generic name derives from the Latin scrōfŭlae, a term indicating scrofula, a disease of the lymphatic glands of the neck. The plant was traditionally associated with healing properties against this pathology. The Italian name "Nettle-leaved Figwort" refers to its nature as an annual plant belonging to the genus Scrofularia.

Sources

• Prof. S. Pignatti, "Flora d'Italia"
• Acta Plantarum - Flora delle regioni italiane (scheda di Gianluca Nicolella)
• Tela Botanica / H. Coste, "Flore descriptive et illustrée de la France"