Scorpion’s tail, Heliotropium angiospermum, is a fairly common plant in the wilds of South Florida. But, in our experience, it’s more likely to be seen as an element in a butterfly garden than found growing in the backcountry.

It’s a Florida native that grows mainly in the coastal counties from Volusia County southward on the Atlantic side of the state, and from Pinellas on the Gulf. Hendry County is the one inland exception.

Scorpion’s tail’s native range also extends into southern Texas, the Caribbean, Mexico, Central America, and South America.

The scorpion’s tail is a shrubby plant, sometimes herb-like, sometimes woody, that stands between one and three feet tall, with multiple branches. It can be upright in habit or leaning over, almost prone. Its most identifiable feature is its terminal spikes of flowers that inspire the plant’s name.

The flowers themselves are white, with five lobes and a bright yellow centre. They are individually small but line up in two ranks along the spike, which tapers to a point at the end. If indeed the spike resembles a scorpion’s tail, it’s one that’s upside down. We’ve seen some references who see it more like a lobster tail. In any regard, flowers can appear singly or in pairs. Scorpion’s tail blooms year-round.


Leaves of a scorpion’s tail are elliptical in shape, wide at the base, and narrowing to a point at the tip. The veining is prominent, giving the leaves a “quilted” look. The leaves are simple and arranged opposite each other along the stem.

Favourite habitats include coastal hammocks and disturbed areas.

The scorpion’s tail is commonly used in butterfly gardens. The flowers attract both the Miami blue and Schaus swallowtail butterflies, both extremely rare in South Florida, among others, but no species uses a scorpion’s tail as a host plant.


It takes to areas with light shade or full sun, prefers moist soil but can withstand short droughts. It can be grown from seed but some nurseries specializing in the native plant do sell the plants. It has a reputation of being easy to grow.

PROPERTIES AND USE:
Astringent, emollient, diuretic, febrifuge, aphrodisiac, emmenagogue, and treats skin conditions, wounds, diarrhoea, conjunctivitis, painful menstruation, infant malaise
and vomiting

For infant diarrhoea, malaise and vomiting boil an entire scorpion tail in 1-gallon water for 5 minutes. Bathe the child in warm water before bed. For skin conditions or wounds, macerate the leaves and apply as a poultice.

The dried leaves of scorpion’s tail are used in traditional medicine, particularly in the Caribbean. It’s used to treat a variety of skin ailments, sores, burns and bites, to clean the skin of new-born, to stimulate menstruation and induce abortions, to treat gout and as an anti-inflammatory.

TRADITIONAL PREPARATION:
For painful menstruation, boil a small handful of stem pieces in 3 cups of water for 5 minutes. Do not exceed 3 cups per day or continue for more than a few days, as it can be toxic. For all conditions, boil 3 leaves in 1 cup of water for 10 minutes. Strain before drinking. Cooled, it can be used as an eyewash.

Culled / Titilayo Kupoliyi

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  1. Joshua Ida Samson says:

    i want to know where i can get the scorpion tail plant in Lagos Nigeria. Kindly advise please. my phone contact is +234 08060290877

  2. Michael Abel says:

    Michael Abel 08055243632. How can I get scorpion tail leaf in Nigeria? I live in port harcourt.

  3. Uwamahoro Doreen says:

    Where can l get the scorpion tail plant here in Uganda…. please my contact +256771585770

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