Eggarton Cottages, Eggarton Lane, Godmersham, Kent, CT4 7DY
Tel/Fax: 01227 730242
Member of the Teasel family and a hardy perennial. Grows naturally in dry grassy fields or lime-rich soils. During July and August, lilac-coloured flowers appear, rarely pink or white. Very similar to a small Field Scabious. Grows about 12 in (30 cm) high.
Butterflies and bees find it attractive. Particular butterflies include the Brimstone, Comma, Painted Lady, Marbled White, Red Admiral and Peacock. Preferred nectar source for the Adonis Blue butterfly. Birds love the seeds. Meadow plant. Lime Speck Pug moths like Scabious species, as do Shaded Pugs.
In west Cornwall it was believed that the Devil would appear by your bed at night if you picked a Scabious plant.