Family: Fabaceae
Author: L.
Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 745 (1753)
Year: 1753
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Scorpiurus
Vegetable: False
Observations: Macaronesia, Medit. to Iran
Description
The Caterpillar-plant, known scientifically as Scorpiurus muricatus, is an intriguing member of the Fabaceae family. Recognized and described by the celebrated botanist Carl Linnaeus in his seminal work “Species Plantarum,” published in 1753, this plant holds a unique place within the botanical world.
Scorpiurus muricatus thrives in diverse regions ranging from the Macaronesian islands through the warm climate of the Mediterranean, extending all the way to Iran. This wide geographical spread hints at the plant’s adaptability and resilience in various environmental conditions.
The species is celebrated not only for its botanical interest but also for its aesthetic appeal, which contributes to its common name, Caterpillar-plant. The name reflects the interesting morphology of the plant’s seed pods, which can be reminiscent of caterpillars in both shape and texture, intriguing a variety of plant enthusiasts.
Understanding the Caterpillar-plant provides a fascinating glimpse into the rich diversity of the Fabaceae family and underscores the meticulous work of historical figures like Linnaeus, whose contributions continue to influence modern botanical sciences.
Common Names
Eng: caterpillar-plant, prickly scorpion’s-tail, scorpion-plant, caterpillar plant
Dan: skorpionurt
Hun: csigás kacskaring alfaja
Swe: skorpionärt
Ces: štírovka měkkoostenná
Cym: ffacbysen arw
En: Caterpillar-plant, Scorpion-plant, Prickly scorpion’s-tail, Caterpillar Plant, Prickly Sensitive-brier
Ar: ذنب العقرب (ذنب العَقرب), لسان الكلب (لِسان الكَلب، لِسان الكِلْب), ودنه (وِدْنَه)، ودينه (وِدِينه)، انقد (أَنْقِد)
Ca: Orella de llebre, Orella de ratolí
Cs: Štírovka měkkoostenná
Da: Skorpionurt
Fr: Chenillette sillonée, Scorpiure, Chenillette à fruits portant des pointes
De: Skorpiosschwanz
He: זנב-עקרב שיכני
Hu: Csigás kacskaring alfaja
It: Erba-lombrica, Erba lombrica
Pt: Cornichão
Es: Granillo de oveja
Sv: Skorpionärt
Cy: Ffacbysen Arw
Synonyms
- Scorpiurus subvillosus var. breviaculeatus (Batt.)
- Scorpiurus echinatus var. laevigatus (Samp.)
- Scorpiurus muricatus var. subvillosus ((L.) Lam.)
- Scorpiurus echinatus var. muricatus ((L.) Samp.)
- Scorpiurus sulcatus subsp. muricatus ((L.) Batt.)
- Scorpiurus echinatus var. subvillosus (Brot.)
- Scorpiurus muricatus var. acutifolius ((Viv.) Kuntze)
- Scorpiurus sulcatus subsp. laevigatus ((Sm.) Batt.)
- Scorpiurus muricatus subsp. laevigatus ((Sm.) Thell.)
- Scorpiurus echinatus (Lam.)
- Scorpiurus subvillosus subsp. sulcatus ((L.) Bonnier)
- Scorpiurus muricatus subsp. subvillosus ((L.) Thell.)
- Scorpiurus muricatus subsp. sulcatus ((L.) Thell.)
- Scorpiurus subvillosus var. laevigatus ((Sm.) E.Domínguez & E.F.Galiano)
- Scorpiurus muricatus var. margaritae ((P.Palau) E.Domínguez & E.F.Galiano)
- Scorpiurus oliveri (P.Palau)
- Scorpiurus minimus (Losinsk.)
- Scorpiurus sulcatus f. puberulus (H.Lindb.)
- Scorpiurus margaritae (P.Palau)
- Scorpiurus sulcatus subsp. subvillosus ((L.) Ball)
- Scorpiurus laevigatus (Sm.)
- Scorpiurus sulcatus var. oliveri ((P.Palau) E.Domínguez & E.F.Galiano)
- Scorpiurus laevigatus var. papillosus (Maire)
- Scorpiurus laevigatus var. glaberrimus (Maire)
- Scorpiurus sulcatus var. muricatus ((L.) Pérez Lara)
- Scorpiurus sulcatus (L.)
- Scorpiurus acutifolius (Viv.)
- Scorpioides muricata ((L.) Medik.)
- Scorpioides sulcata ((L.) Medik.)
- Scorpioides elegans (Bubani)
- Scorpiurus muricatus var. sulcatus ((L.) Fiori)
- Scorpiurus muricatus var. laevigatus ((Sm.) Boiss.)
- Scorpiurus subvillosus (L.)
- Scorpiurus subvillosus var. acutifolius ((Viv.) Burnat)
- Scorpiurus sulcatus var. subvillosus (Pérez Lara)
Distribution
- Albania (native)
- Algeria (native)
- Baleares (native)
- Bulgaria (native)
- Canary Is. (native)
- Corse (native)
- Cyprus (native)
- East Aegean Is. (native)
- Egypt (native)
- Eritrea (native)
- Ethiopia (native)
- France (native)
- Greece (native)
- Gulf States (native)
- Iran (native)
- Iraq (native)
- Italy (native)
- Kriti (native)
- Krym (native)
- Lebanon-Syria (native)
- Libya (native)
- Madeira (native)
- Morocco (native)
- Palestine (native)
- Portugal (native)
- Sardegna (native)
- Saudi Arabia (native)
- Sicilia (native)
- Sinai (native)
- Spain (native)
- Transcaucasus (native)
- Tunisia (native)
- Turkey (native)
- Turkey-in-Europe (native)
- Yugoslavia (native)
- Czechoslovakia (introduced)
- New South Wales (introduced)
- New Zealand North (introduced)
- New Zealand South (introduced)
- Queensland (introduced)
- Victoria (introduced)
Additional Images
Fruit
Taken Jun 13, 2020 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 28, 2020 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 13, 2020 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 13, 2020 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 28, 2020 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)
Flower
Taken Apr 9, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Patrick LEBOULENGER (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 8, 2022 by Monteiro Henrique (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 8, 2022 by Monteiro Henrique (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 2, 2019 by Ruiz Fernando J. (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 28, 2020 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)
Leaf
Taken Jun 28, 2021 by manuseitz (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 6, 2021 by manuseitz (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 9, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Patrick LEBOULENGER (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 8, 2022 by Monteiro Henrique (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 2, 2019 by Ruiz Fernando J. (cc-by-sa)
Habit
Taken Apr 27, 2021 by Viviane Rezzoug (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 30, 2021 by manuseitz (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 3, 2021 by manuseitz (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 30, 2020 by blanca_de_centelles (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 5, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Genevieve BOTTI (cc-by-sa)
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Bark
Taken Jul 3, 2021 by manuseitz (cc-by-sa)
Other
Taken May 2, 2022 by Monteiro Henrique (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 15, 2022 by doune34160 (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 6, 2021 by manuseitz (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 28, 2021 by manuseitz (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 30, 2020 by blanca_de_centelles (cc-by-sa)
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5358302)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:518173-1)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Scorpiurus muricatus L.)
Specifications
Growth habit: Forb/herb
Growth
Bloom months: [‘apr’, ‘may’, ‘jun’]