Scorpiurus vermiculatus
L.
Prickly Scorpionstail, Common caterpillar plant
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc
(c) maricel patino, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc
(c) maricel patino, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc
(c) maricel patino, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
Summary
Source: WikipediaAn annual plant reaching 0.5 m in height and frost-tender. Hermaphrodite flowers fix atmospheric nitrogen. Grows well in light sandy, medium loamy, or heavy clay soils with good drainage. Suitable for mildly acid, neutral, or basic soils. Thrives in semi-shade or full sun and tolerates both dry and moist soil conditions.
Description
A low sprawling annual herb. It has simple leaves. The leaves are oval but broadest above the middle. They often have 3 prominent parallel veins. The flowers usually occur singly. They are 10-20 mm long. The pods have warts on the outer ridges.
Edible Uses
Young seedpods can be eaten raw or cooked. The flavour is very indifferent, and the pods are included as food mainly because they closely resemble caterpillars and can cause amusement at the table.
Traditional Uses
The young pods are eaten as a vegetable.
This uses section is brief — help expand it
Medicinal Uses
None known.
Distribution
It is a Mediterranean climate plant.
Where It Grows
Africa, Asia, Europe, France, Italy, Japan, Mediterranean, North Africa, Portugal, Spain,
Cultivation
We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will succeed outdoors in Britain, though it should be possible to grow it at least as a frost-tender annual. It is likely to require a sunny position in a light or medium well-drained soil. This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby. When removing plant remains at the end of the growing season, it is best to only remove the aerial parts of the plant, leaving the roots in the ground to decay and release their nitrogen.
Propagation
Seed: sow in spring in a greenhouse and plant out after the last expected frosts. Sowing in situ in April may also be worthwhile.
Other Uses
None known.
Synonyms
References (4)
- Arora, R. K., 2014, Diversity in Underutilized Plant Species - An Asia-Pacific Perspective. Bioversity International. p 50
- Blamey, M and Grey-Wilson, C., 2005, Wild flowers of the Mediterranean. A & C Black London. p 105
- Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/
- Sp. pl. 2:744. 1753 "vermiculata"
