Scabiosa Rough

2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38

This plant has many names. In Russia he is known as the "Field Korostavnik". Healers used it to treat dropsy of the lungs, removed scabies from the hands - one of the most contagious diseases of our time. Today, scabiosa as an ornamental plant adorns flower gardens in cities and summer cottages. The peculiar shape of the scabiosa flower is taken as a standard when describing the shape of other flowers. For example, the shape of the inflorescence of some zinnias is called "scabiosa"

What's in your name

The Latin word "scabiosus", meaning "rough", gave the name to the infectious disease caused by the itch mite. Getting under the skin of a person, the mite begins to multiply actively, causing itching of the skin. Rashes and pustules appear on the skin. The skin becomes rough, hence the name of scabies - "scabios".

The plant, which in our country is more often called "Korostavnik field", received the name "scabiosa" either for the rough wrapper of its bracts, or for the ability of certain plant species to rid people of the scabies mite infection.

In addition to these two names, the plant has many others. For example, Widows, Field Aster, Scab, Christ's stick, Krasnogolovka …

Scabiosa habit

Straight branched stem, 30 to 80 centimeters high, hairy in the lower part and almost glabrous in the upper part, covered with leaves of various shapes. They are whole-edged, pinnately dissected, lanceolate *, hairy.

Inflorescences are heads, up to 3 centimeters long, with lanceolate * petals, wraps. The pale anthers of the long stamens stand out effectively against the background of the petals. Flowers are often bluish-lilac, less often yellow, reddish. Blossom in July. A good honey plant with a light aroma.

Varieties of scabiosa

Our most popular scabiosa is stellate, Caucasian and dark purple.

* Scabiosa stellate - a low to medium vigorous (15 to 45 cm) annual plant with pale blue flowers, collected in spherical capitate inflorescences. The stem is straight, the leaves are deeply divided. Like all annuals, it propagates by seeds.

* Caucasian scabiosa - tall (up to 80 cm high) perennial, although it is more often grown as an annual. Propagated in spring by dividing the bush, before flowering. In one place it grows up to 5 years, then it requires a transplant.

Beautiful pinnately dissected leaves adorn straight and strong stems. The capitate inflorescences of small flowers have different colors.

* Scabiosa dark purple (Egyptian rose) - low-medium and tall (20 to 100 cm) plant, biennial or annual. Most often, it is dark purple scabiosa that can be found in Russian summer cottages. Straight, branched stems are green, less often pubescent. The basal leaves are broad-footed, the leaves on the stem are pinnately-separated. The capitate inflorescences of small flowers have different colors.

* Scabiosa pale yellow - often found in the wild and is still rare in summer cottages. The plant is up to 1 meter tall, with feathery leaves, with numerous yellowish flower heads. Looks good in conjunction with a bright double monard. Unpretentious to the soil, but does not like stagnant water. Propagated by seeds.

Growing conditions

The plant prefers sunny places, light fertile soils with neutral acidity. Cold resistant. It tolerates drought, does not tolerate excess moisture and stagnant water.

Annual species are propagated by seeds, perennial by seeds and division of bushes. Through seedlings, the plant blooms earlier. In early May, you can sow seeds directly into open ground.

Care is usual: weeding, loosening the soil, watering during dry periods, fertilizing with mineral fertilizers for the brightness of the flowers.

Note:

* Lanceolate - narrowed upward, pointed.