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Small Scabious Scabiosa columbaria 

 
 
Wildlife GardenWildlife garden plant
Attracts BeesBees are attracted to this plant
Attracts ButterfliesButterflies are attracted to this plant
Attracts HoverfliesHoverflies are attracted to this plant
Attracts BirdsBirds are attracted to this plant
Perennial Life CyclePerennial life cycle
Tubular FlowersTubular flowers
Lilac FlowersLilac flowers
5 Petals5 petals
Jun-Oct Flowering
period
Pinnate LeavesPinnate leaves
Hairy-Edged LeavesHairy-edged leaves
Round StemRound stem
Tap RootTap root
80cmMaximum height
 
 
  Main image of Small Scabious
© 2021 Adrian Briggs
 

Small Scabious is a native perennial plant of the UK, typically found growing in chalky grassland and rocky areas, to a mature height of up to 80cm.

Small Scabious is named after its relatively short height and small flowers, in relation to other species of Scabious, 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 Field Scabious. Distinguishing features of the compound flowerhead of Small Scabious include: five (not four) petals to its flowers; outer flowers much larger than the central flowers, and petals deeply divided; and only one layer of whorled bracts beneath the flowerhead. Small Scabious is a dainty plant, attracting many pollinators and so it has been cultivated to make ornamental varieties for the garden.

Botanic classification and naming: Small Scabious is a member of the Teasel (Dipsacaceae) family. The genus name 'Scabiosa' identifies the plant as a Scabious and its species name 'columbaria' means 'dove-like (flower colour)'.

Benefits: Its nectar-rich flowers attract many butterflies, such as the Small Tortoiseshell, and moths, such as the Six-Spot Burnet.

Benefits to wildlife are also indicated with orange icons in the plant profile bar at the top.

 

 
Flower of Small Scabious

© 2021 Adrian Briggs

 

Flowers:
Small Scabious usually flowers between June and October.

Flower colour:

Flower Colour Lilac

Lilac

Flower shape:

Flower Shape  Tubular

Tubular

Petals:

Petal Number =  5

5

Leaf of Small Scabious

© 2021 Adrian Briggs

 

Leaves:

Leaf Shape:

Leaf Shape is Pinnate

Pinnate

Or:

Alternative Leaf Shape is Lobed

Lobed

Leaf Margins:

Leaf Margin is hairy

hairy

Stem of Small Scabious

© 2021 Adrian Briggs

 

Stem and Roots:

Stem shape:

Stem Shape is Round

Round

Root type:

Root Type is Tap

Tap