Common Figwort vs Four-toed Hedgehog

Scrophularia nodosa compared with Atelerix albiventris

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Common Figwort	Four-toed Hedgehog
Kingdom	Plantae (Plants)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum	Magnoliophyta (Flowering Plants)	Chordata (Chordates)
Class	Magnoliopsida (Dicots)	Mammalia (Mammals)
Order	Lamiales (Lamiales)	Erinaceomorpha (Erinaceomorpha)
Family	Scrophulariaceae	Erinaceidae
Genus	Scrophularia	Atelerix
Species	Scrophularia nodosa	Atelerix albiventris

Conservation Status

Common Figwort

LC — Least Concern

Four-toed Hedgehog

LC — Least Concern

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Common Figwort	Four-toed Hedgehog
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Common Figwort

Habitat

Typically found in diverse terrestrial habitats from tropical forests to temperate regions.

Range

Widely distributed across Europe (5 countries), North America (Canada, United States), and Oceania and the Pacific (Australia).

Four-toed Hedgehog

Habitat

Typically found in diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

Range

Distributed across Ecuador and Spain.

Common Figwort

<em>Scrophularia nodosa</em> is a herbaceous perennial plant belonging to the family Scrophulariaceae within the order Lamiales. Commonly known as common figwort, this species typically inhabits shaded, moist environments such as woodland edges, hedgerows, riverbanks, and disturbed ground rich in organic matter. It is classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, reflecting widespread distribution and stable population status. <em>Scrophularia nodosa</em> has a broad geographic range encompassing much of Europe, as well as introduced or naturalized populations in Canada, the United States, and Australia. The plant typically produces erect, quadrangular stems reaching up to one meter in height, with opposite, toothed leaves and small brownish-maroon tubular flowers arranged in loose panicles. These flowers are notably attractive to wasps and bumblebees, which serve as primary pollinators. Historically, the species has been used in traditional medicine across its native range. Biological traits of this species remain poorly documented in the scientific literature.