Thursday 23 July 2015

PINCUSHION FLOWERS

Scabiosa is a genus in the honeysuckle family (Caprifoliaceae) of flowering plants. Many of the species in this genus have common names that include the word scabious; however some plants commonly known as scabious are currently classified in related genera such as Knautia and Succisa; at least some of these were formerly placed in Scabiosa. Another common name for members of this genus is "pincushion flowers".

Some species of Scabiosa are annuals, others perennials. Some are herbaceous plants; others have woody rootstocks. The leaves of most species are somewhat hairy and partly divided into lobes, but a few are smooth and some species have simple leaves. The flowers are borne on inflorescences in the form of heads; each head contains many small florets, each floret cupped in a membranous, saucer-shaped bract. Scabiosa species and varieties differ in the colours of their flowers, but most are soft lavender blue, lilac or creamy white. The calyx has five sepals in the form of awns almost as long as the petals. After the flowers have dropped, the calyces together with the bracts form a spiky ball that may be the reason for the "pincushion" common name.

This post is part of the Floral Friday Fotos meme.



7 comments:

  1. Hello, they are pretty blooms and a lovely color. Wonderful images, enjoy your day!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hello Nick,
    thank you for these wonderful macro pictures, love it all!
    Have a nice day,
    moni

    Thanks if you visit my blog
    http://www.reflexionblog.de

    ReplyDelete
  3. Love the blossom and the macro bee is great!

    ReplyDelete
  4. such a refined flower with two colors - beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I would love them in my garden!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Wonderfull,love the fist with the been,greeting from Belgium.
    http://louisette.eklablog.com " blog my city mons in Belgium"

    ReplyDelete
  7. Eine besonders schöne Farbe in dieser Blüte ... Tolles Bild für Floral Friday!

    Mit sonnigen Grüßen
    Heidrun

    ReplyDelete