More than 2200 species of the wild flora and fauna photographed in Zihuatanejo, Guerrero, Mexico and the surrounding area.
Optimized for viewing on desktop or laptop
Borage of Zihuatanejo
ORDER BORAGINALES
Scorpion's-Tail
Heliotropium angiospermum
Flowers by Colour
-Vascular Plants (Phylum Tracheophyta)
-Flowering Plants (Subphylum Angiospermae)
-Borages Order (Boraginales)
-Borage Family (Family Boraginaceae)
-Subfamily Heliotropioideae
-Heliotropes (Genus Heliotropium)
-Scorpion's-Tail (Heliotropium angiospermum)
Scorpionstail (Heliotropium angiospermum) is a perennial shrub-like plant with unique white flowers that bloom year-round. Its nectar attracts a variety of butterflies. The plant occurs naturally in coastal hammocks and strands, and ruderal or disturbed areas. Flowers are small, white and borne singly or in pairs along one side of a curved or coiled terminal spike. The genus name Heliotropium comes from the Greek helios, or “sun,” and trepein, or “to turn.” It refers to the belief that the plants turn their flowers toward the sun. The common name refers to the helicoid flower spikes that are reminiscent of a scorpion’s coiled tail.
Description
• Heliotropium angiospermum, commonly known as scorpion’s tail or alacranillo, is an annual or short-lived perennial herb in the borage family (Boraginaceae). It can grow upright or become somewhat shrubby, with hairy stems and narrow elliptic to oval leaves with smooth margins. Its numerous small white flowers are arranged along curved, coiled flower stalks resembling a scorpion’s tail. The fruits are tiny, rough-textured structures that separate into smaller seed-bearing sections. The flowers attract butterflies and other insects.
Range
• Heliotropium angiospermum is native to the Americas, ranging from the southern United States through Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean to parts of South America. It is native to Zihuatanejo, Guerrero, and the surrounding area.
Habitat
• It grows in warm tropical and subtropical environments, including tropical dry forests, scrub, roadsides, agricultural margins and disturbed ground. It commonly colonizes open, sunny sites and tolerates dry conditions and a range of soil types, including sandy and rocky substrates.
