Seasonal Wild Flowers

Small Scabious

Scabiosa columbaria

Dipsacaceae

June to October

It is found throughout the country except for parts of the

far Southwest, the Midlands the Southeast and

East Anglia

See the BSBI distribution map for Small Scabious

It grows on dry, infertile soils, e.g., calcareous pastures on

downs, hill-slopes and banks, cliffs and rock outcrops

Small Scabious is a native, perennial herb, growing up to

70cm.

It is smaller than the commoner Field Scabious and has

smaller and paler flowerheads (up to 3.5cm).

Florets are 5 petalled (cf 4-petalled in Field Scabious and

The lower leaves form a rosette and are pinnate.

The upper leaves are narrower.

Small Scabious, Dorset

Flower-head, 5-petalled inner and

ray florets

5-petalled florets - stamen

Flower-head, flower bud and stamen

Flowerhead from below - sepals

Lower leaves

Upper leaves