Scabiosa atropurpurea (syn. Sixalix atropurpurea), the mourningbride, mournful widow, pincushion flower, or sweet scabious, is an ornamental plant of the genus Scabiosa in the family Caprifoliaceae.[2] It is native to southern Europe.[3]
| Sweet scabious | |
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| Scabiosa atropurpurea subsp. maritima | |
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| Botanical illustration | |
Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Dipsacales |
| Family: | Caprifoliaceae |
| Genus: | Scabiosa |
| Species: | S. atropurpurea
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| Binomial name | |
| Scabiosa atropurpurea | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
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List
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Subtaxa edit
The following subtaxa are accepted:[1]
- Scabiosa atropurpurea subsp. atropurpurea
- Scabiosa atropurpurea var. grandiflora (Scop.) Fiori & Paol.
- Scabiosa atropurpurea subsp. maritima (L.) Arcang.
Description edit
Scabiosa atropurpurea has cauline leaves that are pinnately dissected,[3] plants have red to purple flowers. It is native to southern Europe. It propagates by seeds which are dispersed by animals.[4]
Cultivation edit
It prefers cooler climates; high temperatures and humidity negatively impact its growth. Scabiosa atropurpurea grows best in rich, alkaline soils high in organic matter with good drainage.[5] It makes a good cut flower. Scabiosa atropurpurea 'Beaujolais Bonnets' is a cultivar grown for its long blooming period and burgundy flowers.[6]
Invasive species edit
It has become an invasive species outside of its native range, including the US state of California where it has invaded grasslands.[3] It ranks as one of South Australia's most commonly recorded weeds.[7]
References edit
- ^ a b "Scabiosa atropurpurea L." Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 5 March 2022.
- ^ USDA, NRCS (n.d.). "Scabiosa atropurpurea". The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov). Greensboro, North Carolina: National Plant Data Team. Retrieved 6 November 2015.
- ^ a b c Bruce G. Baldwin; Douglas Goldman; David J. Keil; Robert Patterson; Thomas J. Rosatti (7 February 2012). The Digital Jepson Manual: Vascular Plants of California. University of California Press. pp. 2139–. ISBN 978-0-520-95289-8.
- ^ "Scabiosa atropurpurea profile". California Invasive Plant Council. 2017-10-15. Retrieved 2020-12-02.
- ^ "Scabiosa atropurpurea (Pincushion Flower, Scabiosa) | North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox". plants.ces.ncsu.edu. Retrieved 2020-12-02.
- ^ "Scabiosa atropurpurea 'Beaujolais Bonnets' - Plant Finder". www.missouribotanicalgarden.org. Retrieved 2020-12-02.
- ^ "Sweet Scabious, Pincushions (Scabiosa atropurpurea) – Weeds of Melbourne". Retrieved 2020-12-02.
Sources edit
- Pink, A. (2004). Gardening for the Million. Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation.
- Blanchan, Neltje (2005). Wild Flowers Worth Knowing. Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation.
- "Plant database entry for Pincushion Flower (Sixalix atropurpurea subsp. atropurpurea 'Snowmaiden') with 5 images and 11 data details". garden.org. Retrieved 2020-09-29.
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