Succisa pratensis var. subacaulis(Bernardin) P.D.Sell
Succisa prativagaJord. & Fourr.
Succisa proceraJord. & Fourr.
Succisa properaJord. & Fourr.
Succisa pyrenaicaJord. & Fourr.
Succisa rhodanensisJord. & Fourr.
Succisa sabaudaJord. & Fourr.
Succisa strictaJord. & Fourr.
Succisa subacaulisBernardin
Succisa sylvaticaJord. & Fourr.
Succisa tardansJord. & Fourr.
Succisa viretorumJord. & Fourr.
Succisa vogesiacaJord. & Fourr.
Succisa vulgarisJ.Presl & C.Presl
Succisa pratensis, the devil's-bit scabious or devil's-bit, is a flowering plant in the honeysuckle family Caprifoliaceae, formerly usually included in the family Dipsacaceae. It differs from other similar species in that it has four-lobed flowers, whereas Scabiosa columbaria (small scabious) and Knautia arvensis (field scabious) have five lobes and hence it has been placed in a separate genus in the same family.[2] It also grows on damper ground.[3]
Species of scabious were used to treat scabies, and other afflictions of the skin including sores caused by the bubonic plague.[4] The word scabies comes from the Latin word for "scratch" (scabere). In folk tales, the short black root was bitten off by the devil, for various reasons: anger at the plant's ability to cure these ailments,[5] anger against the Virgin Mary,[6] or as part of some 'devilish plot'.[7] The Latin specific epithetpratensis literally means "of the meadow".[8]
Description
Succisa pratensis is a herbaceousperennial up to 1m tall, growing from a basal rosette of simple or distantly-toothed, lanceolate leaves. Its unlobed leaves distinguish it from Knautia arvensis (field scabious).[9] The plant may be distinguished from Centaurea scabiosa (greater knapweed) by having its leaves in opposite pairs, not alternate as in knapweed. The bluish to violet (occasionally pink) flowers are borne in tight compound flower heads or capitula. Individual flowers are tetramerous, with a four-lobed epicalyx and calyx and a four-lobed corolla.[10] Male and female flowers are produced on different flower heads (gynodioecious), the female flower heads being smaller.[11] The flowering period in the British Isles is from June until October.[12]:312
Distribution
Succisa pratensis is common throughout most of the British Isles,[10] western and central Europe, extending eastwards into central Asia. In Britain, it occurs from sea level up to 1,080m altitude,[13] and up to 2,400m in the Alps.[14] It is absent from eastern Asia.[15] It has been introduced to eastern North America.[16]
Ecology
It grows in wet or dry grassland and heath on acid or basic soils[10] and is found in hedgerows, marshes, meadows and pastures.[17]
Succisa pratensis is a good source of nectar
The flowers are visited by various types of insects, but especially frequently by hoverflies of the genus Eristalis.[18] It is a good source of nectar, and is the larval food plant of the marsh fritillary,[19] the eggs of which are laid in groups on the underside of the plant, and the narrow-bordered bee hawk-moth (Hemaris tityus). As both invertebrates are rare,[20][21] their survival relies on careful management of sites containing these plant and butterfly species.
Devil's-bit Scabious declined significantly due to increased intensification in agriculture in the late 20th century, with the destruction of natural grasslands and heaths.[13] Its conservation is best promoted by an uneven patchwork of short and long vegetation by the end of the grazing period, between 8 and 25cm (3.1 and 9.8in). This can be achieved through low intensity grazing (also known as extensive grazing) using cattle. Sheep are not so good as they are more efficient at removing wild plants.[24]
↑ Blamey, Marjorie; Grey-Wilson, Christopher (1989). The Illustrated Flora of Britain and Northern Europe. London [: Hodder & Stoughton. p.386. ISBN0-340-40170-2.
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