Wildflower series ~ Wild scabious

in worldwildflora •  6 years ago  (edited)

scabiosa columbaria1.jpg

Scabiosa columbaria belongs to the pincushion family and they get their name from their flowerheads, you can clearly see the 'pins' on this half-open flower head. This is a popular plant with butterflies and various coloured hybrids are grown in gardens. I really like the look of the flowerhead after the flowers have finished blooming. The common name 'scabious' comes from traditional usage to treat scabies although I'm not aware of this particular scabious being used this way. Scabiosa are found all over the world and perhaps some of them are used that way.

scabiosa columbaria.jpg

This plant is also used medicinally: it has large, fleshy roots which are used as a tea for indigestion and colic. Although little is known about the active ingredients, Phenolic compounds have been isolated from the roots and these are found in other plants that are also used as indigestion remedies. The roots are also dried and ground and have been used as a pleasant-smelling baby powder.

Sources:
Medicinal Plants of South Africa by Ben-Erik van Wyk, Bosch van Oudtshoorn, Nigel Gericke. Briza Publications, Second improved edition, 2000

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Very beautiful flower!
I have not seen this.

They are grown in gardens

References and all!!....fancy :-) I better step my game up and stop making things up haha

I suspect that you know enough on various subjects not to need to make anything up ;) If you add references, consider posting in steemstem

I haven't heard of steemstem but I'll definitely check it out!

I try and stick to subjects I don't have to reference, studying horticulture ruined referencing for me haha

  ·  6 years ago (edited)

oh dear. Although yeah, dodgy references can often just make things appear legit when they are pure BS

That's very true!

Ohhh this one is pretty.
Leaves from that Begonia alike and those flowers. And it would a stunning plant!

Both of these are grown in gardens

I do not know this plant, but it has a very interesting flower.
I love the combination of its delicate petals and the pistils like pins.
Greetings, querida @nikv.

Love the vibrant colors, and the focus. ❤ Gorgeous capture! 😊
Great macro and love your photography style.

Greetings @armonia!

Beautifully design flower! Very complicated ball of needles that transforms into dainty flowers. Nature is full of surprises.
I could not find the name of this plant in Thai! Would love to have some!

I think the climate would be wrong for this plant, they don't want much water