Sheep's Bit Scabious is a
native
perennial plant of the UK, typically found growing in coastal areas, hedgerows and waste ground, to a mature height of up to 50cm.
The plant is called 'Sheep's Bit' because sheep graze on this plant. However, despite being named 'Scabious', and its flowers having a passing resemblance to those of a scabious, this plant is unrelated and lies in the Bellflower family.
Botanic classification and naming: Sheep's Bit Scabious is a member of the Bellflower (Campanulaceae) family. The genus name
'Jasione' identifies the plant as a Sheepbit and its species name 'montana' means 'mountain plant'.
Benefits: Sheep's Bit Scabious flowers are visible under ultra-violet light and very attractive to pollinators, encompassing an outstanding number of species of bee, wasp, butterfly, moth, fly and beetle.
Benefits to wildlife are also indicated with orange icons in the plant profile bar at the top.
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