Scutellaria barbata, the barbed skullcap,[1] is a species of flowering plant in the mint family, Lamiaceae. It is native to Asia.[2]

Scutellaria barbata
At Hong Kong Flower Show
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Lamiales
Family: Lamiaceae
Genus: Scutellaria
Species:
S. barbata
Binomial name
Scutellaria barbata

Description

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It is a perennial herb generally reaching up to 35 centimeters tall, sometimes taller. The lightly toothed leaves are somewhat lance-shaped or triangular and up to about 3 centimeters long. The flowers are borne on pedicels that have tiny, sharp bracteoles. The purple-blue, lightly hairy flower corolla is roughly a centimeter long. The plant grows in moist and wet habitat, such as paddy fields.[2]

Distribution

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The herb grows on the flat-lands in South Central China. It is usually harvested at the end of summer.[3]

Therapeutic usage

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The herb is used to as a medicine to treat cancer. However, there have been multiple reports that patients who were treated with the herb struggled with inflammation and infection.[4]

They are also used to treat hepatitis, appendicitis, pulmonary abscess, and ascites due to cirrhosis.

References

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  1. ^ "Scutellaria barbata". Germplasm Resources Information Network. Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved 16 January 2018.
  2. ^ a b Scutellaria barbata. Flora of China.
  3. ^ Tao and Balunas, page 4
  4. ^ Tao and Balunas, page 3

Bibliography

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