Scorpiurus vermiculatus
Scorpiurus vermiculatus
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Pl. 9DA1 — Scorpiurus vermiculatus
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IOverview
Overview
Scorpiurus vermiculatus, a light-loving annual with a height of about 0.5 meters, is native to regions including Albania, Algeria, Bulgaria, and Cyprus. Known for its edible seedpods, this plant thrives in dry to moist conditions and prefers soil that is light (sandy), medium, or heavy (clay) with a pH between 6.5 and 7. It can be found across a wide range from the Mediterranean to parts of Africa and the Middle East, including Egypt, Greece, Italy, and Turkey. One distinctive feature of Scorpiurus vermiculatus is its ability to grow in various habitats, making it adaptable and resilient.
Quick answers
What is Scorpiurus vermiculatus?
Scorpiurus vermiculatus, a light-loving annual with a height of about 0.5 meters, is native to regions including Albania, Algeria, Bulgaria, and Cyprus. Known for its edible seedpods, this plant thrives in dry to moist conditions and prefers soil that is light (sandy), medium, or heavy (clay) with a pH between 6.
Growingconditions · propagation · uses
VCultivation
Cultivation
Scorpiurus vermiculatus thrives in light to medium soils and can tolerate both dry and moist conditions, making it adaptable to various garden environments. It prefers a pH between 6.5 and 7 and is best grown from seed pods. While the plant is hardy in temperate regions, it may require protection in colder climates. Ensure it receives plenty of light but avoid overly wet soil, as it can lead to issues. This annual grows to about 0.5 meters tall and is suitable for gardens with a Mediterranean climate or similar conditions.
Light
8/10
Water
Dry, Moist
Soil
Light (sandy), Medium, Heavy (clay)
Life cycle
Annual
Mature size
0.5 m tall
Soil pH
6.5–7
Seasonal calendar
Northern hemisphere · UTC month is September
winterspringsummerautumnwinter
BloomJFMAMJJASOND
For first-time growers
How to grow Scorpiurus vermiculatus for the first time
8steps
Start with easy-to-grow Scorpiurus vermiculatus for a rewarding beginner gardening experience.
- 1
What you'll need
Seeds, small pots or direct planting area, potting soil.
- 2
Best time to plant
Plant in spring after the last frost or in autumn before the first freeze.
- 3
Soil and container prep
Use well-draining soil with a pH between 6.5 and 7, ensuring containers have drainage holes.
- 4
Sowing or transplanting
Direct sow seeds outdoors after danger of frost is past, or start indoors 4-6 weeks before planting out.
- 5
First two weeks
Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Provide light shade if starting indoors.
- 6
Ongoing care
Water when the top inch of soil feels dry. Fertilize sparingly with a balanced fertilizer every 4-6 weeks.
- 7
Harvest or pruning
Prune seedpods after flowering to encourage more blooms and prevent self-seeding.
- 8
Common mistakes
Overwatering, planting in heavy soil, neglecting to provide enough light, not deadheading spent flowers.
VIEdible & utility
Edible & utility
Edible parts:Seedpod
Edible uses: The seedpods of Scorpiurus vermiculatus are edible and can be consumed raw or dried. They are typically harvested from the plant's native range in Albania, Algeria, Baleares, Bulgaria, Canary Islands, Corse, Cyprus, and East Aegean Islands. These parts are often used in their natural state to add a unique flavor to salads or dried for later use.
Other uses:Nitrogen fixer
Contextrange · companions · related
VIIDistribution
30 native · 0 introduced
Distribution
30 native · 0 introducedDistribution across3 continents· 30 native
Europe9 regions
native (9)AlbaniaBulgariaCyprusFranceGreeceItalyPortugalSpainUkraine
Asia5 regions
native (5)IranIraqPalestineSaudi ArabiaTurkey
Africa6 regions
native (6)AlgeriaEgyptEritreaEthiopiaLibyaMorocco
Broader regions
native:East Aegean Is., Gulf States, Kriti, Lebanon-Syria, Sinai, Transcaucasus, Turkey-in-Europe, Yugoslavia
IXSpecimen gallery
1 image
Specimen gallery
1 imageXI
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Companion planting
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Back to the cataloguePlant id · 9da18b87-8a2a-48da-93cb-785928d21846
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