Scorpiurus muricatus L. subsp. subvillosus (L.) Thell., a potential forage legume species for a Mediterranean environment: a review

Prickly scorpion’s tail, Scorpiurus muricatus L. subsp.subvillosus (L.) Thell., is an annual legume species,widespread in pastures of the basin of the MediterraneanSea. It has been neglected by researchers andfarmers for a long time, although the species haspromise as a forage crop for its high nutritive value,self-reseeding capability and its preference by ruminants.Harvesting and threshing of seed, however, aredifficult and it has seed-coat dormancy, which delaysand reduces germination, hindering its use as a foragecrop. It is suggested that plant breeding programmeswould allow the selection of ecotypes and varieties forfield crop cultivation. In this study, the main botanical,biological, ecological and agronomic traits are reviewedto identify those issues that currently limit its introductioninto cultivation as a forage crop in Mediterraneanareas.