




Succisa pratensis
Devil's-bit Scabious is a pretty purple flower that grows in meadows and grasslands. Its unique name comes from its flat, devil-like root that looks like it has been bitten off!
Habitat: Grasslands
The Devil's-bit Scabious has distinctive, domed flower heads, typically purplish-blue and resembling a pincushion, atop slender, often unbranched stems. Its oval to lance-shaped leaves form a basal rosette, with smaller, opposite leaves higher up the stem, making it easily identifiable in damp grasslands.





Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Ancient folklore said carrying a Devil's-bit root could protect you from bad luck and evil spells!
Before clocks, people used these flowers to predict rain; if the petals closed, rain was on its way!
Its short root looks like it's been bitten off by the Devil, giving the plant its spooky name!
The pretty purple flowers are a vital food source for the rare Marsh Fritillary butterfly caterpillars!
Devil's-bit Scabious can thrive in waterlogged, nutrient-poor soils, allowing it to grow where other plants struggle to survive.
Devil's-bit Scabious has a unique, stubby rootstock that regrows yearly, helping it persist as a perennial plant.

Euphydryas aurinia
larvae feed on its leaves
Apis mellifera
visits flowers for nectar
Bombus pascuorum
gathers nectar and pollen

Vanessa atalanta
sips nectar from blooms
Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.
Biennial plants complete their life cycle over two growing seasons, typically forming foliage in the first year and flowering/seeding in the second.
Cluster flowers are inflorescences where individual flowers are arranged closely together on a common stem.
Summer blooming plants produce their flowers during the summer season, often providing vibrant color when many other plants have finished.
Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense.
Medicinal plants possess chemical compounds that can be used for therapeutic purposes to treat illnesses or maintain health.
Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals.
Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.
No aliases listed yet.
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Always look but don't touch flowers without asking an adult first.
The easiest way to identify Devil's-bit Scabious is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.
15-80 cm
20-50 cm
1.5-2.5 cm
Late summer to autumn
Yes
None
Perennial
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