Scrophularia atrata

Black-flowered figwort

Family: Scrophulariaceae · Type: perennial · Native

Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2

Black-flowered figwort is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native perennial found in the central coast region including Santa Barbara and southern San Luis Obispo counties in calcium- and diatom-rich soils at elevations below 400 meters. Flowering from April to July, this plant produces dark red to nearly black flowers that appear dramatically inflated with a highly constricted mouth. Growing with tall, robust stems 100 to 150 centimeters in height, it develops a striking architectural form. Its leaves range from dark to light green, with larger blades measuring 6 to 9 centimeters long, featuring a broad, substantial shape. The plant's flower structure is particularly distinctive, with triangular-ovate green calyx lobes and a unique staminode with a triangular tip.

Habitat: Calcium-, diatom-rich soils

Bloom period: Apr-Jul

Elevation: < 400 m

Bioregions: CCo, SCoRO (Santa Barbara, s San Luis Obispo cos.).

California counties: Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Mono, Marin

Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Jepson eFlora, Cal-IPC, and more.