Scabiosa fischeri — Edible Plant | Edible Plant Database

Summary

A perennial growing to 0.5 m tall by 0.3 m wide, hardy to UK zone 4. Flowers July to October with seeds ripening August to October. Hermaphrodite flowers pollinated by insects. Adapts to light sandy, medium loamy, and heavy clay soils with mildly acidic to very alkaline pH. Prefers well-drained soil and tolerates both dry and moist conditions. Can grow in semi-shade or full sun.

Description

A perennial growing to 0.5 m tall by 0.3 m wide, hardy to UK zone 4. Flowers July to October with seeds ripening August to October. Hermaphrodite flowers pollinated by insects. Adapts to light sandy, medium loamy, and heavy clay soils with mildly acidic to very alkaline pH. Prefers well-drained soil and tolerates both dry and moist conditions. Can grow in semi-shade or full sun.

Edible Uses

Leaves are edible when cooked.

Medicinal Uses

None known

Distribution

It is a temperate plant.

Where It Grows

Asia, Manchuria, Siberia,

Cultivation

Prefers a neutral or alkaline soil and a sunny position. Succeeds in ordinary garden soil. A very ornamental plant. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer.

Propagation

Sow seed in a cold frame in spring. Seedlings are prone to damping off, so water carefully and ensure good ventilation. Prick out into individual pots once large enough to handle and plant into permanent positions in summer. Divide in spring; larger divisions can go directly into permanent positions. Smaller divisions do best potted up and grown on in a lightly shaded cold frame until well established, then planted out in summer.