Knautia arvensis - Field Scabious

Family:	Dipsacaceae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	1
Width:	0.4
Synonyms:	Scabiosa arvensis.
Range:	Europe, including Britain, north to latitude 69°, east to the Caucasus and W. Siberia.

Knautia arvensis (Field Scabious) is a Perennial which grows to a height of 1m and a width of 0.4m . It has a hardness rating of 6.
Field Scabious will flower in January to March. The flowers from this plant are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and they are pollinated by Bees, lepidoptera

Soil Information

Field Scabious will grow in light (sandy),medium (loamy),hard (clay) soil. It is / is important for the soil to be well drained.
The soil prefers the following PH / acid levels :
- pH of less than 6, Acidic soils
- pH between 6 and 8, Neutral soils
- pH greater than 8, Basic soils
Field Scabious prefers either dry or moist soils

Ideal Planting Locations

Field Scabious can grow in semi or areas with no shade.

Meadows, pastures, hedgebanks and grassy hills, usually on dry soils and especially on limestone[9, 17, 187].

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

• Suits a meadow
• Will grow in a hedge row

Cultivation Details

Succeeds in any well-drained soil[187]. Prefers a dry soil[9, 17]. Grows well on chalky soils[4]. Prefers a sunny position[188]. A very cold-hardy plant, tolerating temperatures down to at least -25°c[187]. Grows well in the summer meadow[24, 187]. The plant is an important source of nectar and pollen for bees and lepidoptera[24, 108]. The plants are sometimes dioecious, if this is the case then male and female plants will need to be grown if seed is required.

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 0/5
None known

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 2/5
The whole plant is astringent and mildly diuretic[9]. An infusion is used internally as a blood purifier and externally for treating cuts, burns and bruises[9]. The fresh or dried flowering plant can be used, with or without the roots[9]. A homeopathic remedy is made from the plant[9]. It is used as a blood purifier and as a treatment for eczema and other skin disorders[9].

• Astringent - Produces contraction in living tissue, reducing the flow of secretions and discharges of blood, mucus, diarrhoea etc.
• Diuretic - Acts on the kidneys, promoting the flow of urine.
• Homeopathy - A plant used in homeopathic treatments.

Propagation

Seed - sow spring or autumn in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer. If you have enough seed it would be worthwhile trying a sowing in situ outdoors in the spring. The seed germinates in the spring in the wild. Division in the spring. Basal cuttings in late spring. Harvest the shoots when they are about 10 - 15cm long with plenty of underground stem. Pot them up into individual pots and keep them in light shade in a cold frame or greenhouse until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the summer.

Known Hazards

None known

Other Uses

None known

Cultivars

no recorded cultivars

References

Flora of the British Isles.
Clapham, Tootin and Warburg.
Author: Clapham, Tootin and Warburg.
Rating:
Publisher : A very comprehensive flora, the standard reference book but it has no pictures.
Date of Publication : 1962

The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Huxley. A.
Author: Huxley. A.
Rating:
Publisher : Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
Date of Publication : 1992

DISCLAIMER: All information published on AussieGardening.com.au is for entertainment purposes only. Readers are encouraged to confirm the information contained here with other sources. The information is not intended to replace medical advice offered by doctors or dietary advice by dieticians. AussieGardening.com.au will not be liable for any direct, indirect, consequential, special, exemplary, or other damages arising therefrom.