skullcup

The term "skullcup" can refer to a few different things, primarily a type of plant and, more colloquially, a drinking vessel made from a skull.

In botany, Skullcap is the common name for plants in the genus Scutellaria. These are flowering plants belonging to the mint family, Lamiaceae. Skullcaps are found worldwide, with many species native to North America and Eurasia. They are typically herbaceous perennials, often growing in moist or marshy habitats. Various species of skullcap have been used in traditional medicine for their purported sedative and anxiolytic properties. For example, American Skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora) and Chinese Skullcap (Scutellaria baicalensis) are among the more well-known species used for medicinal purposes. The name "skullcap" is thought to derive from the helmet-like shape of the calyx, the part of the flower that encloses the base of the petals.

Separately, a "skullcup" can informally refer to a drinking cup fashioned from a human or animal skull, particularly a cranium. This practice has historical and cultural roots in various societies, sometimes associated with rituals, trophies, or as a macabre decorative item. These objects are often crafted by hollowing out the skull and sometimes adding a base or handle. The use of skulls as drinking vessels can be found in archaeological findings and historical accounts, often evoking a sense of barbarism or defiance in popular culture.