What are the growth habits of Scutellaria baicalensis? The latest detailed explanation

Wild Scutellaria baicalensis grows on hilltops, slopes, forest edges, roadsides and other sunny, relatively dry places. It likes warmth and tolerates severe cold. The underground parts of adult plants can still overwinter safely at a low temperature of -35°C, and a high temperature of 35°C will not cause them to wither and die, but they cannot withstand continuous high temperatures above 40°C. It is drought-tolerant and afraid of waterlogging. If water accumulates in the ground or there is too much rain, growth will be poor, and in severe cases the roots will rot and the plants will die. Land with poor drainage is not suitable for planting. The soil should be loam and sandy loam, and neutral to slightly alkaline pH is best. Continuous cropping should be avoided.

Root growth habits

Scutellaria baicalensis has a taproot system. The main root grows normally in the first three years. Its length, thickness, fresh weight and dry weight all increase year by year, and the content of baicalin in the main root is relatively high. After the fourth year, the growth rate begins to slow down, some main roots begin to show hollow or dead centers, and this worsens year by year. In eight-year-old cultivated Scutellaria baicalensis, almost all main roots and thicker lateral roots have hollow or dead centers, and the content of baicalin also decreases greatly.

Stem and leaf growth habits

After Scutellaria baicalensis emerges, the main stem gradually grows taller and the number of leaves gradually increases, after which branches form and buds appear, flowers bloom, and seeds set. May to June is the stem and leaf growth period. A one-year-old Scutellaria baicalensis main stem can grow about 30 pairs of leaves, of which the first five pairs each produce 1 pair every 4 to 6 days, and after that the leaves produce 1 pair every 2 to 3 days.

Flowering and fruiting habits

One-year-old Scutellaria baicalensis plants generally begin to form buds 2 months after emergence. For two-year-old and older Scutellaria baicalensis, buds mostly begin to form 70 to 80 days after green-up and emergence. About 10 days after budding, flowering begins, and after about 40 days the fruit begins to mature. If environmental conditions are suitable, flowering and seed setting of Scutellaria baicalensis can continue until the frost-kill period.