Scorpiurus muricatus

Scorpiurus muricatus, the caterpillar-plant^[1] or prickly scorpion's-tail,^[2] is an annual leguminous plant native to southern Europe and the region of Syria with tiny pea-like flowers and simple leaves uncharacteristic of a legume. Its contorted, pubescent pods give rise to its common name "prickly caterpillar". Extracts of the species have been found to have allelopathic effects on microbes of the genus Fusarium due to the high concentration of phytoalexins in the plants' tissues.^[3]

Clade:Embryophytes

Clade:Tracheophytes

Clade:Angiosperms

Clade:Eudicots

Quick facts Scientific classification, Binomial name ...

Scorpiurus muricatus
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Embryophytes
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Rosids
Order:	Fabales
Family:	Fabaceae
Subfamily:	Faboideae
Genus:	Scorpiurus
Species:	S. muricatus
Binomial name
Scorpiurus muricatus L.
Synonyms
List Scorpioides elegans Bubani Scorpioides muricata (L.) Medik. Scorpioides sulcata (L.) Medik. Scorpiurus acutifolius Viv. Scorpiurus echinatus Lam. Scorpiurus laevigatus Sm. Scorpiurus margaritae P.Palau Scorpiurus minimus Losinsk. Scorpiurus muricatus var. margaritae (P.Palau) E.Domínguez & E.F.Galiano Scorpiurus oliveri P.Palau Scorpiurus subvillosus L. Scorpiurus sulcatus L.

Close

This is mainly a garden plant used as a groundcover. Its densely haired pods may be added to salads for interest, and its leaves used as a salad herb in some Mediterranean countries.