Scabiosa atropurpurea

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]

Scabiosa atropurpurea - MHNT

Sweet scabious
Scabiosa atropurpurea subsp. maritima
Botanical illustration
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Asterids
Order:	Dipsacales
Family:	Caprifoliaceae
Genus:	Scabiosa
Species:	S. atropurpurea
Binomial name
Scabiosa atropurpurea L.
Synonyms[1]
List Asterocephalus acutiflorus Rchb. Asterocephalus ambiguus Rchb. Asterocephalus atropurpureus (L.) Spreng. Asterocephalus diffusus Spreng. Asterocephalus grandiflorus Sweet Asterocephalus maritimus (L.) Spreng. Asterocephalus setifer Spreng. Cyrtostemma atropurpureum (L.) Spach Cyrtostemma maritimum (L.) Fourr. Scabiosa acutiflora Rchb. Scabiosa angulata Raf. Scabiosa ateridoi Pau Scabiosa atropurpurea var. villosa (Coss.) Franco Scabiosa bailletii Timb.-Lagr. Scabiosa calyptocarpa St.-Amans Scabiosa cornucopia Viv. Scabiosa cupanii Guss. Scabiosa diffusa Rchb. Scabiosa fruticulosa Gand. Scabiosa grandiflora Guss. Scabiosa grandiflora Scop. Scabiosa integrata Hoffmanns. & Link Scabiosa luteola Paolucci Scabiosa major Vilm. Scabiosa maritima L. Scabiosa odora Salisb. Scabiosa paui Sennen Scabiosa rosea Steud. Scabiosa saviana Rchb. Scabiosa setifera Lam. Scabiosa transsilvanica Spruner ex Nyman Scabiosa vivipara Nees ex Steud. Scabiosa wulfeniana Rchb. Sclerostemma atropurpureum (L.) Schott Sixalix atropurpurea (L.) Greuter & Burdet Sixalix atropurpurea subsp. amansii (Rouy) Rivas Mart. Sixalix atropurpurea subsp. grandiflora (Scop.) Soldano & F.Conti Sixalix atropurpurea subsp. maritima (L.) Greuter & Burdet Sixalix maritima (L.) Rottenst. Spongostemma acutiflorum Tiegh. Spongostemma atropurpureum (L.) Tiegh. Spongostemma maritimum (L.) Tiegh. Spongostemma savianum (Rchb.) Tiegh.

Subtaxa

The following subtaxa are accepted:^[1]

• Scabiosa atropurpurea subsp. atropurpurea
• Scabiosa atropurpurea var. grandiflora (Scop.) Fiori & Paol.
• Scabiosa atropurpurea subsp. maritima (L.) Arcang.

Description

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

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

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]