Flowering Months:
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
NOV
DEC
Family:
Apiaceae (Carrot)
Also in this family:
Alexanders, Bladder-seed, Bur Chervil, Burnet-saxifrage, Cambridge Milk Parsley, Caraway, Common Hogweed, Coriander, Corky-fruited Water Dropwort, Corn Parsley, Cow Parsley, Cowbane, Creeping Marshwort, Cumin, Edible Carrot, False Thorow-wax, Field Eryngo, Fine-leaved Water Dropwort, Fool's Parsley, Fool's Watercress, Garden Angelica, Garden Parsley, Giant Fennel, Giant Hogweed, Great Pignut, Greater Burnet-saxifrage, Greater Water Parsnip, Ground Elder, Hartwort, Hemlock, Hemlock Water Dropwort, Hog's Fennel, Honewort, Knotted Hedge Parsley, Lesser Marshwort, Lesser Water Parsnip, Longleaf, Masterwort, Milk Parsley, Moon Carrot, Parsley Water Dropwort, Pepper-saxifrage, Pignut, Pink Masterwort, River Water Dropwort, Rock Samphire, Rough Chervil, Sanicle, Scots Lovage, Sea Carrot, Sea Holly, Shrubby Hare's-ear, Siberian Hogweed, Slender Hare's-ear, Small Hare's-ear, Spignel, Spreading Hedge Parsley, Stone Parsley, Sulphurwort, Sweet Cicely, Thorow-wax, Tubular Water Dropwort, Upright Hedge Parsley, Whorled Caraway, Wild Angelica, Wild Carrot, Wild Celery, Wild Fennel, Wild Parsnip
Maximum Size:
40 centimetres tall
Habitats:
Disturbed ground, fields, gardens, sea cliffs, seaside.
Shepherd’s-needle produces small, white, five-petalled flowers arranged in open umbels with typically 2–5 rays. Blooming from April to June, the flowers are relatively inconspicuous but delicately structured, typical of the carrot family (Apiaceae). Each flower has protruding stamens and styles, helping attract pollinators such as small flies and solitary bees. The flowering stems are slender and often branched, rising from a basal rosette.
Fruit:
The fruit is the plant’s most distinctive feature: long, slender, needle-like seedpods up to 5 cm in length, tapering to a fine point—hence the name “Shepherd’s-needle.” These dark, rigid fruits are arranged in a radiating pattern and resemble needles sticking out from a central point. When ripe, each fruit splits into a pair of mericarps, each containing a single seed. These unique seed structures make the plant easy to recognise, especially in late spring and early summer.
Leaves:
The leaves of Scandix pecten-veneris are finely divided, fern-like, and feathery, giving the plant a delicate, lacy appearance. They are arranged alternately along the stem and are bright to mid-green in colour. The foliage is soft to the touch and resembles that of other umbellifers, such as chervil or wild carrot, but tends to be more finely cut. The leaf bases often form a loose rosette at ground level in early growth stages.
Fragrance:
Shepherd’s-needle does not have strongly fragrant flowers, but its foliage may release a faint, carrot-like or herbaceous scent when crushed, characteristic of the Apiaceae family. This subtle aroma is more noticeable in fresh plants during warm weather but plays a minor role in attracting pollinators, with visual and nectar cues being more important.
Other Names:
Stork's Needle, Venus' Comb.
Summary
Scandix pecten-veneris, also known as shepherd's needle or Venus' comb, is a herbaceous perennial plant in the Apiaceae family. It is native to Europe and Asia and typically grows to be about 40 centimeters tall. The plant is known for its delicate, fern-like leaves and small white flowers that bloom in the spring and early summer. It is often used in traditional medicine and as an ornamental plant in gardens.
Blog
Shepherd's Needle, also known as Scandix pecten-veneris, is a wildflower that belongs to the Apiaceae family. It is a delicate, white-flowered plant that grows in sandy soils and meadows in many parts of Europe, including the Mediterranean region. In this blog, we will explore the characteristics and properties of Shepherd's Needle and its significance in the natural world.
Physical characteristics
Shepherd's Needle is a small annual plant that grows up to 40 centimeters in height. Its stem is slender, straight, and branched, and its leaves are divided into fine segments. The plant's white flowers are small and delicate, growing in clusters on short stalks. The flowers are followed by round, flattened fruits, each containing a single seed.
Habitat and distribution
Shepherd's Needle prefers sandy soils and can be found in a wide range of habitats, including meadows, roadsides, fields, and waste ground. It is a common sight in many parts of Europe, including the Mediterranean region, the British Isles, and Central Europe. It is also found in some parts of Asia and North Africa.
Significance in the natural world
Shepherd's Needle is an important plant for pollinators, especially bees and butterflies. Its white flowers provide a valuable source of nectar, and its leaves and stems are an important food source for the larvae of some moth species. The plant's seeds are also a food source for birds and small mammals.
In addition to its ecological importance, Shepherd's Needle has been used for medicinal purposes for many centuries. It was traditionally used as a diuretic and to treat digestive disorders, and it was also thought to have mild sedative properties. However, it should be noted that the plant is toxic in large quantities and should not be consumed without proper medical guidance.
Cultural significance
Shepherd's Needle has been mentioned in literature and folklore throughout history. In Greek mythology, it was associated with the goddess Venus and was thought to have medicinal properties. In medieval Europe, the plant was believed to ward off evil spirits and was used in various protective rituals. Today, it is often included in wildflower gardens and is appreciated for its delicate beauty.
Shepherd's Needle, with its delicate white flowers and slender stems, is a plant that has captured the imagination of people throughout history. Its importance as a food source for wildlife and a valuable source of nectar for pollinators highlights its ecological significance, while its cultural significance underscores the deep connection that humans have with the natural world. As we continue to learn more about the value of our natural environment, Shepherd's Needle remains an important reminder of the interconnectedness of all living things.
More Information
Shepherd's Needle has also been used for various purposes throughout history. The plant was traditionally used as a dye, with the seeds producing a red color and the roots producing a yellow color. In some cultures, the plant was also used as a flavoring agent for soups and stews.
In addition to its cultural and medicinal uses, Shepherd's Needle has also been studied for its potential as a source of bioactive compounds. Recent research has identified several bioactive compounds in the plant, including flavonoids, phenolic acids, and terpenoids. These compounds have been shown to have various health benefits, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer properties.
Despite its potential health benefits, Shepherd's Needle is not commonly used in modern medicine. This may be due to the plant's toxicity in large quantities, as well as the fact that there are more effective and reliable sources of many of the bioactive compounds found in the plant.
In conclusion, Shepherd's Needle is a fascinating plant with a rich history and a diverse range of uses. Its delicate beauty, ecological significance, and cultural importance make it a valuable part of the natural world. While its medicinal properties and potential as a source of bioactive compounds are still being studied, Shepherd's Needle remains an important reminder of the beauty and complexity of the natural world, and the many ways in which humans have interacted with it over the course of history.
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