Sheep's-bit
ExplorePlants
Sheep's-bit
Jasione montana
Sheep's-bit is a lovely blue flower that grows in grassy places. It has unique, star-shaped blooms that attract butterflies and bees, making it a special sight in nature.
Habitat: Grasslands
Appearance
The Sheep's-bit has distinctive spherical, pincushion-like flower heads densely packed with tiny blue-violet flowers. Its narrow, wavy-edged leaves mostly grow in a rosette at the base, giving the plant a delicate, airy appearance. The striking blue flower globes stand out against its green foliage.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderAsteralesFamilyCampanulaceaeGenusJasione
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
Be the first to snap!
Interesting facts
After blooming, its flowers transform into fascinating spiky seed pods, ready to scatter new life!
Each 'pincushion' flower head is actually made up of dozens of individual tiny flowers!
Its unusual common name, Sheep's-bit, comes from it often being grazed by sheep!
The scientific name, *Jasione*, might come from an ancient Greek word meaning 'healing'!
Special abilities
Ability
Pollinator Beacon
Sheep's-bit groups many small blooms into one vibrant 'pincushion' flower head, making it an irresistible target for busy bees and butterflies.
Ability
Tough Soil Survivor
This plant can thrive in sandy or poor, acidic soils, using its adaptable roots to find nutrients where many other plants struggle to grow.
Ability
Seed Spreader
Sheep's-bit produces numerous tiny seeds that can easily be dispersed by wind or animals, helping it quickly colonize new sunny habitats.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 10-50 cm
- Spread
- 10-30 cm
- Flower Size
- 1.5-3 cm
- Bloom Season
- Summer to early autumn
- Edible
- Yes
- Toxicity
- None
- Lifecycle
- Annual
- Pollination Method
- Insect
Ecological connections
pollinates
Honey bee
Apis mellifera
collects nectar and pollen
pollinates
Painted Lady butterfly
Vanessa cardui
visits for nectar
eaten by
Domestic sheep
Ovis aries
grazes on the foliage
Traits
Flowering
Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.
Cluster Flower
Cluster flowers are inflorescences where individual flowers are arranged closely together on a common stem.
Summer Blooming
Summer blooming plants produce their flowers during the summer season, often providing vibrant color when many other plants have finished.
Fragrant Flower
Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense.
Grassland
Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals.
Pollinator Magnet
Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Always look but don't touch flowers unless a grown-up says it's okay.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to identify Sheep's-bit?
The easiest way to identify Sheep's-bit is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.
How tall is Sheep's-bit?
10-50 cm
How wide does Sheep's-bit spread?
10-30 cm
How big are the flowers on Sheep's-bit?
1.5-3 cm
When does Sheep's-bit bloom?
Summer to early autumn
Is Sheep's-bit edible?
Yes
Is Sheep's-bit toxic?
None
What is Sheep's-bit's lifecycle?
Annual
Snap Map
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