Scabiosa columbaria, called the small scabious or dwarf pincushion flower, is a widespread species of flowering plant in the genus Scabiosa, native to Europe, Africa, and western Asia, from Sweden to Angola. In the garden it is a short-lived deciduous perennial. In the wild in Europe it prefers to grow in calcareous grasslands.
Growing to tall by , it has simple branched grey-green leaves, and pale lavender or blue multi-petalled flowers from summer to autumn.
Subspecies The following subspecies are currently accepted:
Scabiosa columbaria subsp. banatica (Waldst. & Kit.) Diklic Scabiosa columbaria subsp. caespitosa Jamzad Scabiosa columbaria subsp. columbaria Scabiosa columbaria subsp. pratensis (St.-Lag.) Braun-Blanq.
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