Field Scabious is a
native
perennial plant of the UK, typically found growing in field margins, chalky grassland and waste ground, to a mature height of up to 150cm.
Field Scabious is named after its habitat and the plant's traditional medicinal use to treat the itch associated with scabies. Although similar in appearance, and closely related, it lies in a different genus to Small Scabious. Distinguishing features of the compound flowerhead of Field Scabious include: four (not five) petals to its flowers; outer flowers larger than the central flowers, but not conspicuously different; and two or more layers of whorled bracts beneath the flowerhead.
Botanic classification and naming: Field Scabious is a member of the Teasel (Dipsacaceae) family. The genus name
'Knautia' identifies the plant as a Scabious and its species name 'arvensis' means 'field plant'.
Benefits: Attracts bees and many butterfly species including the Small Tortoiseshell.
Benefits to wildlife are also indicated with orange icons in the plant profile bar at the top.
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