en Scabiosa atropurpurea

Sweet scabious
	Scabiosa atropurpurea subsp. maritima
	Botanical illustration
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Asterids
Order:	Dipsacales
Family:	Caprifoliaceae
Genus:	Scabiosa
Species:	S. atropurpurea
Binomial name
	Scabiosa atropurpurea; L.
Synonyms
	List Asterocephalus acutiflorus Rchb.; Asterocephalus ambiguus Rchb.; Asterocephalus atropurpureus (L.) Spreng.; Asterocephalus diffusus Spreng.; Asterocephalus grandiflorus Sweet; Asterocephalus maritimus (L.) Spreng.; Asterocephalus setifer Spreng.; Cyrtostemma atropurpureum (L.) Spach; Cyrtostemma maritimum (L.) Fourr.; Scabiosa acutiflora Rchb.; Scabiosa angulata Raf.; Scabiosa ateridoi Pau; Scabiosa atropurpurea var. villosa (Coss.) Franco; Scabiosa bailletii Timb.-Lagr.; Scabiosa calyptocarpa St.-Amans; Scabiosa cornucopia Viv.; Scabiosa cupanii Guss.; Scabiosa diffusa Rchb.; Scabiosa fruticulosa Gand.; Scabiosa grandiflora Guss.; Scabiosa grandiflora Scop.; Scabiosa integrata Hoffmanns. & Link; Scabiosa luteola Paolucci; Scabiosa major Vilm.; Scabiosa maritima L.; Scabiosa odora Salisb.; Scabiosa paui Sennen; Scabiosa rosea Steud.; Scabiosa saviana Rchb.; Scabiosa setifera Lam.; Scabiosa transsilvanica Spruner ex Nyman; Scabiosa vivipara Nees ex Steud.; Scabiosa wulfeniana Rchb.; Sclerostemma atropurpureum (L.) Schott; Sixalix atropurpurea (L.) Greuter & Burdet; Sixalix atropurpurea subsp. amansii (Rouy) Rivas Mart.; Sixalix atropurpurea subsp. grandiflora (Scop.) Soldano & F.Conti; Sixalix atropurpurea subsp. maritima (L.) Greuter & Burdet; Sixalix maritima (L.) Rottenst.; Spongostemma acutiflorum Tiegh.; Spongostemma atropurpureum (L.) Tiegh.; Spongostemma maritimum (L.) Tiegh.; Spongostemma savianum (Rchb.) Tiegh.; ;

Scabiosa atropurpurea (syn. Sixalix atropurpurea), the mourningbride, mournful widow, pincushion flower, or sweet scabious, is an ornamental plant of the genus Scabiosa in the family Caprifoliaceae.^[2] It is native to southern Europe.^[3]

Subtaxa

The following subtaxa are accepted:^[1]

Scabiosa atropurpurea subsp. atropurpurea
Scabiosa atropurpurea var. grandiflora (Scop.) Fiori & Paol.
Scabiosa atropurpurea subsp. maritima (L.) Arcang.

Description

Scabiosa atropurpurea has cauline leaves that are pinnately dissected,^[3] plants have red to purple flowers. It is native to southern Europe. It propagates by seeds which are dispersed by animals.^[4]

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.^[5] It makes a good cut flower. Scabiosa atropurpurea 'Beaujolais Bonnets' is a cultivar grown for its long blooming period and burgundy flowers.^[6]

Invasive species

It has become an invasive species outside of its native range, including the US state of California where it has invaded grasslands.^[3] It ranks as one of South Australia's most commonly recorded weeds.^[7]