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Useful Temperate Plants

Succisa pratensis

Moench

Caprifoliaceae

+ Synonyms

Asterocephalus succisa (L.) Wallr.

Lepicephalus succisa (L.) Eichw.

Scabiosa borealis Salisb.

Scabiosa glabrata Hegetschw.

Scabiosa glabrata Schott

Scabiosa hirsuta Mazziari

Scabiosa praemorsa Gilib.

Scabiosa pratensis glabrata (Schott) Peterm.

Scabiosa prolifera Mazziari

Scabiosa succisa L.

Succisa altissima Schur

Succisa angustula Jord. & Fourr.

Succisa aurigerana Jord. & Fourr.

Succisa beugesiaca Jord. & Four.

Succisa brevis Jord. & Fourr.

Succisa cagiriensis Jeanb. & Timb.-Lagr.

Succisa cuspidata Jord.

Succisa dentata Jord. & Fourr.

Succisa elliptica Jeanb. & Timb.-Lagr.

Succisa fuchsii Gray

Succisa fuscescens Jord. & Fourr.

Succisa gigantea Jeanb. & Timb.-Lagr.

Succisa glabrata (Schott) Sweet

Succisa glabrata Jord. & Fourr.

Succisa gracilescens Jord. & Fourr.

Succisa hirsuta C.Bauhin ex Opiz

Succisa incisa Jord. & Fourr.

Succisa laetevirens Jord. & Fourr.

Succisa microcephala Jord. & Fourr.

Succisa palustris Sass

Succisa parvula Jord. & Fourr.

Succisa platyphylla Jord. & Fourr.

Succisa praemorsa Asch.

Succisa prativaga Jord. & Fourr.

Succisa procera Jord. & Fourr.

Succisa propera Jord. & Fourr.

Succisa pyrenaica Jord. & Fourr.

Succisa rhodanensis Jord. & Fourr.

Succisa sabauda Jord. & Fourr.

Succisa stricta Jord. & Fourr.

Succisa subacaulis Bernardin

Succisa succisa (L.) H.Karst.

Succisa sylvatica Jord. & Fourr.

Succisa tardans Jord. & Fourr.

Succisa viretorum Jord. & Fourr.

Succisa vogesiaca Jord. & Fourr.

Succisa vulgaris J.Presl & C.Presl

Common Name: Devil's Bit Scabious

No Image.

General Information

Succisa pratensis is a herbaceous perennial plant growing from a fibrous rootstock; it produces stems usually 15 - 40cm tall, occasionally to 80cm[
74
Title
Flora of the USSR.
Publication
 
Author
Komarov. V. L.
Website
http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
Publisher
Israel Program for Scientific Translation
Year
1968
ISBN
-
Description
An immense (25 or more large volumes) and not yet completed translation of the Russian flora. Full of information on plant uses and habitats but heavy going for casual readers. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

17
Title
Flora of the British Isles.
Publication
 
Author
Clapham, Tutin and Warburg.
Publisher
Cambridge University Press
Year
1962
ISBN
-
Description
A very comprehensive flora, the standard reference book but it has no pictures.
,
200
Title
The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Publication
 
Author
Huxley. A.
Publisher
MacMillan Press
Year
1992
ISBN
0-333-47494-5
Description
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.

Range

Throughout Europe, east to Turkey, central Asia and west Siberia. N. Africa - Madeira, Algeria and Tunisia

Habitat

Meadows, pastures, marshes, fens and damp woods[
7
Title
Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants.
Publication
 
Author
Chiej. R.
Publisher
MacDonald
Year
1984
ISBN
0-356-10541-5
Description
Covers plants growing in Europe. Also gives other interesting information on the plants. Good photographs.
,
17
Title
Flora of the British Isles.
Publication
 
Author
Clapham, Tutin and Warburg.
Publisher
Cambridge University Press
Year
1962
ISBN
-
Description
A very comprehensive flora, the standard reference book but it has no pictures.
] on slightly acid or calcareous soils[
200
Title
The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Publication
 
Author
Huxley. A.
Publisher
MacMillan Press
Year
1992
ISBN
0-333-47494-5
Description
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
].

Properties

Edibility Rating *  *
Medicinal Rating *  *
Other Uses Rating *  *
HabitPerennial
Height0.30 m
PollinatorsBees, Lepidoptera
Cultivation StatusWild

Cultivation Details

Succisa pratensis is a moderately cold-hardy plant, tolerating temperatures down to about -20°c, or perhaps a bit lower[
187
Title
Perennials. Volumes 1 and 2.
Publication
 
Author
Phillips. R. & Rix. M.
Publisher
Pan Books
Year
1991
ISBN
0-330-30936-9
Description
Photographs of over 3,000 species and cultivars of ornamental plants together with brief cultivation notes, details of habitat etc.
,
200
Title
The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Publication
 
Author
Huxley. A.
Publisher
MacMillan Press
Year
1992
ISBN
0-333-47494-5
Description
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
].
Succeeds in ordinary garden soil[
1
Title
RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956
Publication
 
Author
F. Chittendon.
Publisher
Oxford University Press
Year
1951
ISBN
-
Description
Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaced in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).
], preferring damp conditions[
24
Title
Making a Wildlife Garden.
Publication
 
Author
Baines. C.
Publisher
 
Year
 
ISBN
 
Description
Fairly good with lots of ideas about creating wildlife areas in the garden.
,
200
Title
The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Publication
 
Author
Huxley. A.
Publisher
MacMillan Press
Year
1992
ISBN
0-333-47494-5
Description
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
], in sun or semi-shade[
200
Title
The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Publication
 
Author
Huxley. A.
Publisher
MacMillan Press
Year
1992
ISBN
0-333-47494-5
Description
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
]. Prefers a moist peaty soil[
187
Title
Perennials. Volumes 1 and 2.
Publication
 
Author
Phillips. R. & Rix. M.
Publisher
Pan Books
Year
1991
ISBN
0-330-30936-9
Description
Photographs of over 3,000 species and cultivars of ornamental plants together with brief cultivation notes, details of habitat etc.
].
Grows well in the summer meadow[
24
Title
Making a Wildlife Garden.
Publication
 
Author
Baines. C.
Publisher
 
Year
 
ISBN
 
Description
Fairly good with lots of ideas about creating wildlife areas in the garden.
], it is an excellent bee and butterfly plant and a food plant for the caterpillars of many butterfly species[
17
Title
Flora of the British Isles.
Publication
 
Author
Clapham, Tutin and Warburg.
Publisher
Cambridge University Press
Year
1962
ISBN
-
Description
A very comprehensive flora, the standard reference book but it has no pictures.
,
24
Title
Making a Wildlife Garden.
Publication
 
Author
Baines. C.
Publisher
 
Year
 
ISBN
 
Description
Fairly good with lots of ideas about creating wildlife areas in the garden.
,
30
Title
Butterflies and Moths in Britain and Europe.
Publication
 
Author
Carter D.
Publisher
Pan
Year
1982
ISBN
0-330-26642-x
Description
An excellent book on Lepidoptera, it also lists their favourite food plants.
].

Edible Uses

Young shoots - raw[
7
Title
Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants.
Publication
 
Author
Chiej. R.
Publisher
MacDonald
Year
1984
ISBN
0-356-10541-5
Description
Covers plants growing in Europe. Also gives other interesting information on the plants. Good photographs.
]. The tender young shoots are sometimes added to spring salads[
7
Title
Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants.
Publication
 
Author
Chiej. R.
Publisher
MacDonald
Year
1984
ISBN
0-356-10541-5
Description
Covers plants growing in Europe. Also gives other interesting information on the plants. Good photographs.
].

Medicinal

The herb is anthelmintic, demulcent, depurative, slightly diaphoretic, diuretic, emmenagogue, mildly expectorant, febrifuge and stomachic[
4
Title
A Modern Herbal.
Publication
 
Author
Grieve.
Publisher
Penguin
Year
1984
ISBN
0-14-046-440-9
Description
Not so modern (1930's?) but lots of information, mainly temperate plants.
,
7
Title
Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants.
Publication
 
Author
Chiej. R.
Publisher
MacDonald
Year
1984
ISBN
0-356-10541-5
Description
Covers plants growing in Europe. Also gives other interesting information on the plants. Good photographs.
,
9
Title
Edible and Medicinal Plants.
Publication
 
Author
Launert. E.
Publisher
Hamlyn
Year
1981
ISBN
0-600-37216-2
Description
Covers plants in Europe. a drawing of each plant, quite a bit of interesting information.
]. It makes a useful tea for the treatment of coughs, fevers and internal inflammations[
4
Title
A Modern Herbal.
Publication
 
Author
Grieve.
Publisher
Penguin
Year
1984
ISBN
0-14-046-440-9
Description
Not so modern (1930's?) but lots of information, mainly temperate plants.
,
7
Title
Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants.
Publication
 
Author
Chiej. R.
Publisher
MacDonald
Year
1984
ISBN
0-356-10541-5
Description
Covers plants growing in Europe. Also gives other interesting information on the plants. Good photographs.
].
Applied topically, it is also a popular application for treating eczema and other cutaneous eruptions[
4
Title
A Modern Herbal.
Publication
 
Author
Grieve.
Publisher
Penguin
Year
1984
ISBN
0-14-046-440-9
Description
Not so modern (1930's?) but lots of information, mainly temperate plants.
,
7
Title
Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants.
Publication
 
Author
Chiej. R.
Publisher
MacDonald
Year
1984
ISBN
0-356-10541-5
Description
Covers plants growing in Europe. Also gives other interesting information on the plants. Good photographs.
].
A tincture of the plant is a gentle but reliable treatment for bruises, aiding quick re-absorption of the blood pigment[
7
Title
Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants.
Publication
 
Author
Chiej. R.
Publisher
MacDonald
Year
1984
ISBN
0-356-10541-5
Description
Covers plants growing in Europe. Also gives other interesting information on the plants. Good photographs.
].
Good results have been achieved by using a distilled water from the plant as an eye lotion to treat conjunctivitis[
7
Title
Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants.
Publication
 
Author
Chiej. R.
Publisher
MacDonald
Year
1984
ISBN
0-356-10541-5
Description
Covers plants growing in Europe. Also gives other interesting information on the plants. Good photographs.
].
The whole herb is collected in early autumn and dried for later use[
4
Title
A Modern Herbal.
Publication
 
Author
Grieve.
Publisher
Penguin
Year
1984
ISBN
0-14-046-440-9
Description
Not so modern (1930's?) but lots of information, mainly temperate plants.
].

Other Uses

A green dye is obtained from the leaves[
7
Title
Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants.
Publication
 
Author
Chiej. R.
Publisher
MacDonald
Year
1984
ISBN
0-356-10541-5
Description
Covers plants growing in Europe. Also gives other interesting information on the plants. Good photographs.
,
115
Title
The Useful Plants of Great Britain.
Publication
 
Author
Johnson. C. P.
Publisher
 
Year
 
ISBN
 
Description
Written about a hundred years ago, but still a very good guide to the useful plants of Britain.
].

Propagation

Seed - sow mid spring in a cold frame. Germination is usually rapid, but the seedlings are prone to damp off so make sure they are well ventilated[
1
Title
RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956
Publication
 
Author
F. Chittendon.
Publisher
Oxford University Press
Year
1951
ISBN
-
Description
Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaced in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).
]. Prick them out into individual pots once they are large enough to handle and plant them out in the summer.
Division in spring. Plant them straight out into their permanent positions.
Cite as: Temperate Plants Database, Ken Fern. temperate.theferns.info. 2024-10-14. <temperate.theferns.info/plant/Succisa+pratensis>

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