Shepherd's needle  (Scandix pecten-veneris)

Learn about the scientific name of this species and how it fits into the tree of life at Nature Navigator.

Description

Shepherd's needle is a member of the carrot family (4), has highly divided 'frizzy' pinnate leaves and produces tiny white flowers arranged in clusters called umbels (2). The fruits can reach up to 80 mm in length and are long, narrow and pointed; it is these structures that the common name refers to (2). The Latin name pecten-veneris means 'Venus's comb'; this name arose because the fruits tend to be arranged side-by-side, and were thought to look like a comb (5).

left