Family: Asteraceae
Author: L.
Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 790 (1753)
Year: 1753
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Scorzonera
Vegetable: False
Observations: Europe to Türkiye
Description
Viper’s grass, scientifically known as Scorzonera humilis, is an exquisite perennial herb that is a member of the Asteraceae family. This plant has been meticulously described by the illustrious botanist Carl Linnaeus in his seminal work “Species Plantarum,” cited as Sp. Pl.: 790 (1753). Viper’s grass has garnered admiration across various regions, from the broad expanses of Europe to the intricate landscapes of Türkiye.
Distinguished by its humble yet striking presence, the Viper’s grass thrives in meadows and grasslands where it enhances the natural tapestry with its singular charm. This hardy plant is characterized by its lance-shaped leaves that form a basal rosette. The foliage is typically green and somewhat leathery, contributing to its durability in the wild.
One of the most captivating features of Scorzonera humilis is its bright yellow blooms. The flower heads, which resemble dandelions, emerge from slender, upright stems. These simple but radiant flowers make the Viper’s grass a delightful sight during its blooming season, attracting a variety of pollinators.
The plant’s roots also hold certain interest, being long and tapering, often compared to a parsnip. Historically, these roots have been utilized in traditional remedies and sometimes even as a culinary ingredient, albeit less commonly so today.
In its natural habitat, Viper’s grass prefers well-drained soils and can often be found flourishing in sunny pastures. Its resilience and low-maintenance needs make it a plant of interest not just to botanists and ecologists but also to those who appreciate the understated beauty of wild flora.
Given its widespread occurrence from Europe to Türkiye, Viper’s grass serves as a vital component of regional biodiversity. It contributes to the ecological balance, offering food and habitat to numerous insect species and small fauna.
Ultimately, Scorzonera humilis represents more than just a plant; it is a symbol of the robust beauty and understated elegance found within nature’s vast palette. Its persistence across diverse European and Turkish landscapes underscores its ecological importance and its enduring appeal to the admirers of wild flora.
Common Names
Ita: castracane, scorzonera minora, scorzonera minore
Nor: griseblad
Ces: hadí mord nízký
Deu: kleine schwarzwurzel, niedrige schwarzwurzel
Swe: kornfibbla, svinrot, sikojuuri
Fr: Petit scorsonère, Scorsonère des prés, Petite Scorsonère, Petite Scorzonère, Scorsonère humble, Scorsonère peu élevée, Scorzonère des prés, Scorzonère humble, Scorzonère peu élevée
De: Kleine Schwarzwurzel, Niedrige Schwarzwurzel, Bömische-Scorzonere
Hu: Alacsony pozdor
It: Castracane, Scorzonera minore, Scorzonera minora
Lv: Zemā raudupe
Lt: Pušyninė gelteklė
No: Griseblad
Nb: Griseblad
Nn: Griseblad
Pl: Wężymord niski
Sv: Svinrot, Kornfibbla, Sikojuuri
Uk: Зміячка низька
Cy: Gwellt y wiber, Llys y Wiber
Dan: lav skorsoner, lav skorsonér
Est: madal mustjuur
Fra: petite scorsonère, petite scorzonère, scorsonère des prés, scorsonère humble, scorsonère peu élevée, scorzonère des prés, scorzonère humble, scorzonère peu élevée
Lit: pušyninė gelteklė
Fin: sikojuuri
Eng: viper’s-grass, viper’s grass
Pol: wężymord niski
Lav: zemā raudupe
Nno: griseblad
Nob: griseblad
Nld: kleine schorseneer
Cym: gwellt y wiber, llys y wiber
En: Viper’s Grass, Viper’s-grass, Dwarf Scorzonera, Dwarf Viper’s Grass
Ar: سلسفي منخفض
Be: Чарнакорань прысадзісты
Br: Louzaouenn-ar-wiber
Cs: Hadí mord nízký
Da: Lav Skorsoner, Lav skorsonér
Nl: Kleine schorseneer
Et: Madal mustjuur
Fi: Sikojuuri, Harjusikojuuri
: Viper’s grass
Synonyms
- Scorzonera bohemica (F.W.Schmidt)
- Scorzonera acuminata (Boiss. & Balansa)
- Scorzonera hispanica var. clusii ((Asso) Pau)
- Scorzonera candollei subsp. tenuifolia ((Schrad. ex DC.) Nyman)
- Pseudopodospermum inaequiscapum ((Boiss.) Zaika, Sukhor. & N.Kilian)
- Scorzonera clusii (Asso)
- Scorzonera candollei (Vis.)
- Scorzonera aksekiensis (A.Duran & M.Öztürk)
- Hieracium scorzoneroides (E.H.L.Krause)
- Scorzonera humilis var. ramosa (Hoffmanns. & Link)
- Scorzonera lanata (Schrank)
- Scorzonera humilis var. macrorrhiza ((Schleich. ex Gaudin) Rouy)
- Scorzonera humilis var. macrorhiza (Rouy)
- Scorzonera humilis subsp. tenuifolia ((Schrad. ex DC.) Arcang.)
- Scorzonera lanuginosa (Baumg.)
- Scorzonera macrorhiza (Schleich.)
- Scorzonera humilis var. plantaginea ((Gaudin) Schur)
- Scorzonera ahmet-duranii (Makbul & Coșkunç.)
- Scorzonera nervosa (Lam.)
- Scorzonera plantaginea (Gaudin)
- Scorzonera plantaginifolia (Schleich.)
- Podospermum scorzoneroides (Turcz. ex DC.)
- Scorzonera tenuifolia (Schrad.)
- Scorzonera inaequiscapa (Boiss.)
- Scorzonera alpina (Pollini)
- Scorzonera glastifolia (Hegetschw.)
- Scorzonera humilis var. angustifolia (Hoffmanns. & Link)
Distribution
- Austria (native)
- Baltic States (native)
- Belarus (native)
- Belgium (native)
- Central European Rus (native)
- Czechoslovakia (native)
- Denmark (native)
- Finland (native)
- France (native)
- Germany (native)
- Great Britain (native)
- Hungary (native)
- Italy (native)
- Netherlands (native)
- Northwest European R (native)
- Norway (native)
- Poland (native)
- Portugal (native)
- Romania (native)
- Spain (native)
- Sweden (native)
- Switzerland (native)
- Turkey (native)
- Ukraine (native)
- Yugoslavia (native)
Additional Images
Flower
Taken May 4, 2020 by Benoît Roch (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 16, 2021 by Jacques Zuber (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 27, 2020 by Severine B (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 26, 2017 by Creu Lopez (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 26, 2017 by Creu Lopez (cc-by-sa)
Bark
Taken May 31, 2020 by MICHEL DUSSERE (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 10, 2022 by margarida vila (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 24, 2020 by Sylvain Piry (cc-by-sa)
Leaf
Taken Oct 19, 2022 by Henri Sneessens (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 16, 2022 by Waldemar Zeja (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 28, 2021 by Darren Giddins (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 24, 2020 by Sylvain Piry (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 16, 2021 by Jacques Zuber (cc-by-sa)
Habit
Taken May 30, 2021 by Par Lio (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 13, 2022 by Stefano Lazzaretti (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 16, 2022 by Waldemar Zeja (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 25, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Dominique REMAUD (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 16, 2021 by Jacques Zuber (cc-by-sa)
Other
Taken Aug 15, 2005 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)
Taken May 15, 2004 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)
Taken May 15, 2004 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)
Taken Jan 1, 1970 by Photoflora – L’Abbé COSTE (©)
Taken May 31, 1883 by Tela Botanica − Herbier PONTARLIER-MARICHAL (cc-by-sa)
Fruit
Taken May 22, 2022 by Pierre LEON (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 28, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Jean-Claude ECHARDOUR (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 22, 2019 by Tela Botanica − Laurent Richin (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.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:243218-1)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3111049)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Scorzonera humilis L.)
Specifications
Growth
Ph maximum: 5.5
Ph minimum: 5.0
Light: 7
Atmospheric humidity: 8
Soil nutriments: 4