''Scabiosa atropurpurea'' ( syn. ''Sixalix atropurpurea''), the mourningbride, mournful widow, pincushion flower, or sweet scabious, is an

ornamental plant Ornamental plants or garden plants are plants that are primarily grown for their beauty but also for qualities such as scent or how they shape physical space. Many flowering plants and garden varieties tend to be specially bred cultivars that ...

of the genus ''

Scabiosa ''Scabiosa'' is a genus in the honeysuckle family (Caprifoliaceae) of flowering plants. Many of the species in this genus have common names that include the word scabious, but some plants commonly known as scabious are currently classified in r ...

'' in the family

Caprifoliaceae The Caprifoliaceae or honeysuckle family is a clade of dicotyledonous flowering plants consisting of about 860 species, in 33, to 42 genera, with a nearly cosmopolitan distribution. Centres of diversity are found in eastern North America an ...

. It is native to southern Europe. Scabiosa atropurpurea MHNT

Subtaxa

The following subtaxa are accepted: *''Scabiosa atropurpurea'' subsp. ''atropurpurea'' *''Scabiosa atropurpurea'' var. ''grandiflora'' *''Scabiosa atropurpurea'' subsp. ''maritima''

Description

''Scabiosa atropurpurea'' has

cauline A leaf ( : leaves) is any of the principal appendages of a vascular plant stem, usually borne laterally aboveground and specialized for photosynthesis. Leaves are collectively called foliage, as in "autumn foliage", while the leaves, ste ...

leaves that are pinnately dissected, plants have red to purple flowers. It is native to southern Europe. It propagates by seeds which are dispersed by animals.

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. It makes a good cut flower. ''Scabiosa atropurpurea'' 'Beaujolais Bonnets' is a cultivar grown for its long blooming period and burgundy flowers.

Invasive species

It has become an invasive species outside of its native range, including the US state of California where it has invaded grasslands. It ranks as one of South Australia's most commonly recorded weeds.

References

Sources

* * * atropurpurea Plants described in 1753 Taxa named by Carl Linnaeus Flora of Malta {{Dipsacales-stub