Common Names
Sideflowering skullcap, American skullcap, blue pimernel, blue skullcap, helmet flower, hooded willow herb, hoodwort, mad-dog, mad-dog skullcap, mad-dog weed, madweed, skullcap.

Description
An erect widely-branched perennial that grows to 30 inches in height. The stem is slender and 4-sided. Leaves are thin, 1 to 4 inches long, ovate, pointed, coarsely serrated, and opposite. The flowers are blue, 2-lipped, and arranged along spikes in each of the upper leaf axils.

Flowering Period
July to October.

Habitat
Alluvial thickets, meadows, swampy woods, moist areas, and shaded areas.

Harvest
Herb in early summer.

Uses
The plant has been used for treating hydrophobia, but without much success. It is reputed to be a nervine, tonic, diuretic, and antispasmodic.