Small Scabious

Common Name: Small Scabious

Latin Name: Scabiosa columbaria

Family: Dipsacaceae

Small scabious is a member of the Teasel family (Dipsacaceae). The plant along with other scabious species was previously used to treat Scabies, hence its common name. Another name used is pin-cushion flower. This attractive species has been developed into several garden cultivars.

In the Yorkshire Dales National Park small scabious can be found on limestone grassland, and also on rock outcrops and scars out of the reach of livestock. The pale blue flowers are a good source of nectar for bees and Lepidoptera. There are two other species of scabious which occur in the National Park, these are devil’s-bit scabious and field scabious.