Shepherd's-needle (Scandix pecten-veneris) observed in Barcelona, Irving, TX, US
iNaturalist: alex3312
Invasive Species
iNaturalistShepherd's-needle can quietly establish itself in garden beds, lawns, and sidewalk cracks near you, and its long, needle-like seeds are notorious for hitchhiking on clothing, pet fur, and garden tools — spreading it further before most people notice it.
Shepherd's-needle is a feathery-leaved plant with tiny white flowers and very distinctive long, spike-shaped seed pods that look like a comb or row of needles. Originally from the Mediterranean region, it has been spreading into North American cities and suburbs. This confirmed sighting in Irving, Texas adds to the picture of where the plant is turning up in the wild.
Key Findings
A research-grade (highest confidence) iNaturalist observation confirms Shepherd's-needle presence in Irving, TX, extending its documented North American urban range.
The observation is geolocated to a specific neighborhood in Barcelona, Irving, TX, providing precise data for regional spread tracking.
Shepherd's-needle is a self-seeding annual, meaning a single plant can produce many needle-like fruits that disperse widely, increasing colonization risk from even one founding individual.
chevron_right Technical Summary
A research-grade observation of Shepherd's-needle, a weedy annual herb native to the Mediterranean, was recorded in Irving, Texas — flagging its presence in a North American urban area.
Abstract Preview
Research-grade observation of Shepherd's-needle in Barcelona, Irving, TX, US.
open_in_new Read full abstract on iNaturalistAbstract copyright held by the original publisher.
Species Mentioned
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Scandix pecten-veneris is a species of edible plant belonging to the family Apiaceae. It is native to Eurasia, but is known to occur elsewhere. It is named for its long fruit, which has a thickened body up to 1.5 centimeters long and a beak which can measure up to 7 centimeters long and is lined ...