Pigeon’s scabious (Scabiosa columbaria, Sp. Pl.: 99 (1753))

Family: Caprifoliaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 99 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Scabiosa

Vegetable: False

Observations: Europe to Iran and Arabian Pen., NW. Africa, Trop. African Mts.

Description

Pigeon’s scabious, scientifically known as Scabiosa columbaria, is a delightful perennial plant that holds a place in the esteemed Caprifoliaceae family. First described in Linnaeus’ seminal work “Species Plantarum” in 1753, this plant has since become well-regarded for its beauty and resilience across a broad geographical range.

Native to regions extending from Europe to Iran and the Arabian Peninsula, Scabiosa columbaria also thrives in North-West Africa and the mountainous areas of Tropical Africa. This wide distribution attests to its adaptability and the ecological versatility of the species.

One of the defining characteristics of Pigeon’s scabious is its ornate, small flower heads, which can add a touch of wild elegance to gardens and natural landscapes. These blossoms attract a variety of pollinators, including bees and butterflies, making it an excellent choice for supporting biodiversity.

The plant generally prefers well-drained soils and can often be found in meadows, slopes, and open woodlands where it enjoys plenty of sunlight. Its ability to grow in diverse conditions makes it suitable for various garden settings, from rock gardens to mixed perennial borders.

Beyond its ornamental value, Scabiosa columbaria has been noted for some traditional uses in folk medicine, though such applications warrant careful consideration and more scientific exploration.

As garden enthusiasts and naturalists continue to seek plants that blend aesthetic appeal with environmental benefits, Pigeon’s scabious stands out as a timeless favorite, promising to delight and sustain with its delicate yet enduring presence.

Common Names

Eng: dove pincushions, pigeon’s scabious, small scabious, yellow scabious
Dan: due-skabiose
Deu: tauben-skabiose, taubenskabiose, gewöhnliche tauben-skabiose
Nno: bakkeknapp
Nob: bakkeknapp
Lav: baložu krievpoga
Fra: colombaire, oeil de perdrix
Nld: duifkruid
Swe: fältvädd, kivikkotörmäkukka
Fin: kivikkotörmäkukka
Nor: markskore
Cym: clafrllys bach, clafrllys bychan, clafrllys lleiaf
En: Pigeon’s scabious, Yellow scabious, Small scabious, Dove pincushions, Cape scabious, Common scabious, African white scabious, Lesser scabious, Pigeon scabious, Pigeon’s Scaboius, Dove Scabiosa, Pincushion flower
Af: Jonkmansknoop, Skurfkruid, Bitterbos
Be: Скабіёза галубіная
Bg: Гълъбова самогризка
Ca: Escabiosa columbària
Cs: Hlaváč fialový
Da: Due-Skabiose
Nl: Duifkruid
Et: Tui-tähtpea
Fi: Kivikkotörmäkukka, Eteläntörmäkukka, Ketotörmäkukka, Tähtiruusujuuri, Törmäkukka
Fr: Oeil de perdrix, Colombaire, Scabieuse colombaire, Verveine caraibe
De: Tauben-Skabiose, Gewöhnliche Tauben-Skabiose, Tauben-Grindkraut, Taubenskabiose, Gemeine Skabiose
Ga: Cab an ghasáin beag
It: Vedovina selvatica
Lv: Baložu krievpoga
Lt: Balandinė žvaigždūnė
No: Bakkeknapp, Markskore
Nb: Bakkeknapp
Nn: Bakkeknapp
Pl: Driakiew gołębia
Pt-br: Escabiosa
Sn: Runhema
Sk: Hlaváč fialový
Sv: Fältvädd, Kivikkotörmäkukka
Tr: Küçük uyuz otu
Cy: Clafrllys bach, Clafrllys Bychan, Clafrllys Lleiaf

Synonyms

• Scabiosa communis subsp. columbaria ((L.) Rouy)
• Scabiosa communis (Rouy)
• Sclerostemma columbarium ((L.) Schott)
• Scabiosa columbaria var. vera (Wimm. & Grab.)
• Columbaria vulgaris (J.Presl & C.Presl)
• Asterocephalus columbaria ((L.) Wallr.)
• Succisa columbaria ((L.) Moench)

Distribution

• Albania (native)
• Algeria (native)
• Angola (native)
• Austria (native)
• Baltic States (native)
• Belarus (native)
• Belgium (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Cameroon (native)
• Central European Rus (native)
• Congo (native)
• Corse (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• Denmark (native)
• Eritrea (native)
• Ethiopia (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Greece (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Iran (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kenya (native)
• Krym (native)
• Lebanon-Syria (native)
• Morocco (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• Poland (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Romania (native)
• Saudi Arabia (native)
• South European Russi (native)
• Spain (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Tanzania (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkmenistan (native)
• Uganda (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Yemen (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Masachusettes (introduced)
• New Jersey (introduced)
• New York (introduced)
• Ohio (introduced)

Additional Images

Leaf

Taken Jul 17, 2021 by sara (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 3, 2020 by juan llanos (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 6, 2020 by Jean-François Baudin (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 3, 2021 by Ahmed Ghedjatti (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 20, 2017 by jose (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Flower

Taken Jun 9, 2018 by Malinverno Mario (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 11, 2017 by Pep Secem (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 6, 2018 by Susana López (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 4, 2017 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 22, 2017 by Denise de Lassat (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Jul 16, 2019 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 30, 2018 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 3, 2021 by Ahmed Ghedjatti (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 20, 2017 by jose (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 20, 2017 by jose (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Aug 7, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 20, 2020 by Chris Georges (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 30, 2019 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 11, 2022 by Palmieri Nicola (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 3, 2019 by Creu Lopez (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Sep 24, 2022 by Tristan Jaton-Maria (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 30, 2022 by manuseitz (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 31, 2021 by manuseitz (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 24, 2020 by David Hocken (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 3, 2021 by Ahmed Ghedjatti (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Dec 22, 2021 by Tristan Jaton-Maria (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 16, 2016 by Miguel A. C. (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 21, 2020 by Sabina Hartmann (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 18, 2021 by Nathalie Potel (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 31, 2021 by manuseitz (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:319793-1)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2888802)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Scabiosa columbaria L.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Forb/herb

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.0

Ph minimum: 6.5

Light: 8

Atmospheric humidity: 3

Soil nutriments: 3