Scorpion’s-tail (Heliotropium angiospermum, Prodr. Stirp. Gott.: 217 (1770))

Family: Boraginaceae

Author: Murray

Bibliography: Prodr. Stirp. Gott.: 217 (1770)

Year: 1770

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Heliotropium

Vegetable: False

Observations: Trop. & Subtrop. America

Description

Scorpion’s-tail is a fascinating plant known scientifically as Heliotropium angiospermum. It is a member of the Boraginaceae family and is predominantly found in tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas. This unique plant earned its common name due to the distinctive shape of its inflorescence, which resembles the tail of a scorpion.

Renowned botanist Murray first described Heliotropium angiospermum in 1770 in his work, Prodr. Stirp. Gott. The plant has since intrigued botanists and plant enthusiasts alike for its interesting form and adaptability to different environments within its natural range.

Scorpion’s-tail typically exhibits small, white flowers clustered tightly in rows along curved spikes. These floral arrangements not only contribute to the plant’s ornamental value but also play a significant role in its natural reproductive process. The plant’s ability to thrive in diverse climates across tropical and subtropical regions underscores its resilience and ecological versatility.

Adapted to various habitats, Heliotropium angiospermum often inhabits disturbed areas such as roadsides, fields, and coastal regions. Its presence in these areas contributes to soil stabilization and provides a food source for pollinators, including bees and butterflies.

In summary, Heliotropium angiospermum, or Scorpion’s-tail, is a noteworthy species within the Boraginaceae family. Characterized by its scorpion-tail-like flower arrangement and its wide distribution across tropical and subtropical American regions, this plant continues to be an object of botanical interest and ecological importance.

Common Names

Eng: scorpion’s-tail, eye bright
En: Scorpion’s-tail, Eye Bright

Synonyms

• Schobera angiosperma ((Murray) Scop.)
• Heliophytum parviflorum var. subellipticum (DC.)
• Heliophytum parviflorum ((Murray) DC.)
• Heliophytum portoricensis (Bello)
• Heliotropium lancifolium (Sessé & Moc.)
• Heliotropium patebilcense (Kunth)
• Tournefortia synzystachya (Roem. & Schult.)
• Heliotropium latifolium (Willd. ex Lehm.)
• Heliotropium synzystachyum (Ruiz & Pav.)
• Schobera hirsuta (Raf.)

Distribution

• Bahamas (native)
• Belize (native)
• Bolivia (native)
• Brazil Northeast (native)
• Brazil South (native)
• Brazil Southeast (native)
• Cayman Is. (native)
• Chile North (native)
• Colombia (native)
• Costa Rica (native)
• Dominican Republic (native)
• El Salvador (native)
• Florida (native)
• Galápagos (native)
• Guatemala (native)
• Haiti (native)
• Honduras (native)
• Jamaica (native)
• Leeward Is. (native)
• Mexico Central (native)
• Mexico Gulf (native)
• Mexico Northeast (native)
• Mexico Northwest (native)
• Mexico Southeast (native)
• Mexico Southwest (native)
• Netherlands Antilles (native)
• Nicaragua (native)
• Paraguay (native)
• Peru (native)
• Puerto Rico (native)
• Southwest Caribbean (native)
• Texas (native)
• Trinidad-Tobago (native)
• Turks-Caicos Is. (native)
• Venezuela (native)
• Venezuelan Antilles (native)
• Windward Is. (native)
• Cuba (introduced)
• Marquesas (introduced)

Additional Images

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Flower

Taken Jan 6, 2020 by Espinoza-Zevallos Marco Elías (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 14, 2022 by Gauri Achari (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 24, 2020 by Sergio Sánchez (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 16, 2022 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 20, 2022 by Marzanna Bug (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Mar 7, 2019 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 24, 2014 by EOL − estefaniafernandez (cc-by-nc)

Taken Nov 17, 2015 by EOL − Chuck Sexton (cc-by-nc)

Taken Mar 13, 2016 by EOL − Claudio Cantú Muñiz (cc-by)

Taken Jun 16, 2022 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Feb 21, 2022 by Teri Norton (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 6, 2020 by Espinoza-Zevallos Marco Elías (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 29, 2021 by CLAN PELEGOLAS (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 22, 2022 by Gabriela Palacios (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 17, 2021 by Gustavo Cavalcanti Gustavo (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Sep 20, 2016 by Nelson Zamora Villalobos (cc-by-nc)

Taken Aug 28, 2018 by Sarah Smadja (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 17, 2021 by Ofe Ilu Odde (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Apr 17, 2021 by Ofe Ilu Odde (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 19, 2021 by Jorge Cugat Herrero (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2925809)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:116662-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Heliotropium angiospermum Murray)

Specifications

Growth habit>: Forb/herb, Subshrub

Growth