Seasonal Wild Flowers

Giant Scabious

Cephalaria gigantea

Dipsacaceae

June to October

It is thinly shinly scattered throughout the country.

For a map see the National Biodiversity Network Gateway

It is a neophyte which has been grown in UK gardens since the

1750s noted as naturalised since the 1920s.

It grows in rough grassland and waste ground, and by roads,

railways and rivers. It is increasing.

Giant Scabious is a rhizomatous, perennial herb, growing up

to 2m.

Flowerheads are up to 10cm across, light yellow to bleached

white.

Outer florets have 4 larger and unequal petals, and inner florets

have 4 equal petals.

Flowers are protandrous (stamens appearing before the styles).

Leaves are pinnately lobed.

Stems are robust and the rhizomes promote persistence.

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Next page: Gipsywort

Giant Scabious Kingcombe, Dorset

Flowerhead - outer florets open

Inner and outer florets open

Anthers

Inner florets - linear stigmas

Fruits

Leaves