| Moschatel | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Asterids |
| Order: | Dipsacales |
| Family: | Adoxaceae |
| Genus: | Adoxa |
| Species: | A. moschatellina |
| Binomial name | |
| Adoxa moschatellina L. |
|
Adoxa moschatellina (Moschatel, Five-faced Bishop, Hollowroot, Muskroot, Townhall Clock, Tuberous Crowfoot) is the sole member of the genus Adoxa. It grows in hedgerows throughout Europe, Asia, and North America, in cool forests, at low altitudes in the far north, to high altitudes in mountains in the south of its range. The flowers, and plant, has a musk-like scent, which it emits towards evening when the dew falls. If the plant is bruised this scent disappears. It flowers in April and May (Europe).
The names "Five-faced Bishop" and "Townhall Clock" allude to the structure of its inflorescence. This consists of five flowers: one four-petalled flower facing upwards, and four five-petalled flowers facing horizontally, as seen in the pictures.