Succisa pratensis
Devil's Bit Scabious
a perennial member of the Succisa genus in the family Dipsacaceae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Dipsacaceae
- Genus
- Succisa
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Height
- 0.4 m
- Fertility
- Bees, Lepidoptera
- Flower type
- hermaphrodite
- Pollinators
- Bees, Lepidoptera
Uses
Edible uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Young shoots - raw[9]. The tender young shoots are sometimes added to spring salads[9].
- Plant part
- Leaves
Medicinal uses
Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
The herb is anthelmintic, demulcent, depurative, slightly diaphoretic, diuretic, emmenagogue, mildly expectorant, febrifuge and stomachic[8][9][10]. It makes a useful tea for the treatment of coughs, fevers and internal inflammations and is also a popular application externally to eczema and other cutaneous eruptions[8][9]. A tincture of the plant is a gentle but reliable treatment for bruises, aiding quick re-absorption of the blood pigment[9]. The whole herb is collected in early autumn and dried for later use[8]. Good results have been achieved by using a distilled water from the plant as an eye lotion to treat conjunctivitis[9].
- Product or use
- Anthelmintic
- Product or use
- Demulcent
- Product or use
- Depurative
- Product or use
- Diaphoretic
- Product or use
- Diuretic
- Product or use
- Emmenagogue
- Product or use
- Expectorant
- Product or use
- Febrifuge
- Product or use
- Stomachic
Material uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
A green dye is obtained from the leaves[9][2].
- Product or use
- Dye
Environment
- Range
- Europe, including Britain, south and east from Norway to N. Africa, Siberia and the Caucasus.
- Habitat
- Meadows, pastures, marshes, fens and damp woods[9][3] on slightly acid or calcareous soils[5].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- light shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 5+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy, clay
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
- Salinity
- tolerant
Propagation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Seed - sow April in a cold frame. Germination is usually rapid, but the seedlings are prone to damp off so make sure they are well ventilated[1]. 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.
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Succeeds in ordinary garden soil[1], preferring damp conditions[6][5], in sun or semi-shade[5]. Prefers a moist peaty soil[4]. Hardy to about -20°c[4]. Grows well in the summer meadow[6], it is an excellent bee and butterfly plant and a food plant for the caterpillars of many butterfly species[3][6][7].
References
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
Johnson. C. P. The Useful Plants of Great Britain.
Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00
Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books 1991-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30936-9
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Baines. C. Making a Wildlife Garden.
Carter D. Butterflies and Moths in Britain and Europe. Pan 1982-00-00 ISBN 0-330-26642-x
Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9
Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-356-10541-5
Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn 1981-00-00 ISBN 0-600-37216-2