Belongs to: flowers

Compare with: devilsbit scabious

Field scabious Knautia arvensis

Also known as: pincushion flower, blue bonnets


Best time to see: late Jan to end Dec

Key facts

A common summer-flowering perennial, found in dry meadows and on roadside verges, mainly on chalky soils

Flowers vary in colour from pale lilac to purple; leaves are deeply lobed

  • Main photo
  • flower

Photo © Tony Gunton

Photo © Tony Gunton