Scrophularia californica is an unassuming plant with triangular, toothed, blue-green leaves in pairs opposite each other on a spindly, squared stem.

This species is a strong bee attractant and also serves as a host plant for variable checkerspot larvae.

[2] The checkerspot is able to utilize iridoid glycosides in the sap to make its larva poisonous and adults unpalatable to predators.

[3] Native American groups in northern Baja California have used the root of the plant to make a medicinal tea.

The Pomo of northwestern California and the Ohlone of the San Francisco Bay Area used it as a poultice for infections and boils.