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Knautia arvensis - (L.)Coult.

Common Name Field Scabious, Field scabiosa
Family Dipsacaceae
USDA hardiness 5-9
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Meadows, pastures, hedgebanks and grassy hills, usually on dry soils and especially on limestone[9, 17, 187].
Range Europe, including Britain, north to latitude 69°, east to the Caucasus and W. Siberia.
Edibility Rating    (0 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (2 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Knautia arvensis Field Scabious, Field scabiosa


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Knautia_arvensis_Sturm2.jpg
Knautia arvensis Field Scabious, Field scabiosa
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Llez

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Knautia arvensis is a PERENNIAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in) by 0.4 m (1ft 4in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6. It is in flower from July to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees, Lepidoptera (Moths & Butterflies).
It is noted for attracting wildlife.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline soils.
It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Scabiosa arvensis.

Plant Habitats

 Meadow; Hedgerow;

Edible Uses

None known

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Antipruritic  Astringent  Diuretic  Eczema  Homeopathy

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].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

Attracts Wildlife

References   More on Other Uses

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.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Fahrenheit:

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The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

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Plant 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.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: Russian Federation-Ciscaucasia (Ciscaucasia), Russian Federation-Western Siberia (Western Siberia), Kazakhstan EUROPE: Denmark, Finland, United Kingdom, Ireland, Norway, Sweden, Czechoslovakia, Austria, Belgium, Switzerland, Germany, Hungary, Netherlands, Poland, Russian Federation (European part), Belarus, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Moldova, Ukraine (incl. Krym), Former Yugoslavia, Bulgaria, Italy, Romania, Spain, France, Portugal

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

(L.)Coult.

Botanical References

17200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

Suresh Baburaj D.   Sun Aug 5 2007

The plant is listed as useful in Homoeopathy. Ref: van Zandvoort, Roger. 2000. Complete Repertory, 33.

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Subject : Knautia arvensis  
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