Heliotropium angiospermum explained

Heliotropium angiospermum, common name scorpion's tail or scorpion-tail, is a flowering plant in the Heliotropium genus and Boraginaceae (Borage) family. An annual or short-lived perennial^[1] it grows in Florida and Texas into Mexico as well as on various islands in arid lowlands.^[2] Its nectar is sought-out by butterflies^[3] and also provides food for bees and birds.^[3] The stems terminate in scorpioid inflorescences.^[4]

It is employed for medicinal uses on some Caribbean islands.^{[3] [5]}

It can tolerate rocky or sandy soil and grows up to 3-feet high.^[1]

See also

• List of Heliotropium species
• List of flora of the Sonoran Desert Region by common name
• Scorpiurus muricatus, sometimes referred to as prickly scorpion's-tail
• Heliotropium andersonii, similar species with narrower leaves
• Heliotropium curassavicum, "monkey tail"

Notes and References

1. Web site: Scorpion-tail. Florida's Wildflowers & Butterflies.
2. Book: McMullen, Conley K. . Flowering Plants of the Galápagos . 2018 . 978-1-5017-2876-1 . Ithaca, NY . 1102799994. 180.
3. Web site: Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - The University of Texas at Austin. www.wildflower.org.
4. Book: Eason, Michael . Wildflowers of Texas . 2018 . Timber Press, Incorporated . 978-1-60469-862-6 . North Adams . 112 . 1022795434.
5. Book: Dehgan, Bijan . Garden plants taxonomy. Volume 2, Angiosperms (eudicots) . 2023 . 978-3-031-11565-3 . Cham . 1376018172. 941.