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Devil's-bit Scabious

Succisa pratensis

Not yet photographed by the community

Pincushion blue-purple flowers; food plant of Marsh Fritillary.

Species Profile

Amber List (declining due to habitat loss and agricultural intensification)

Lifespan: 2–3 years (biennial or short-lived perennial)
Size & Weight: 15–100 cm tall; flower heads 1–2 cm diameter
Habitat: Damp meadows, grasslands, fens, and woodland edges on neutral to acidic soils throughout the UK.
UK Distribution: Found throughout the UK, though declining in England; more common in northern and western regions; resident year-round.
Diet: Produces nectar and pollen for pollinating insects; the plant itself is herbaceous and photosynthesises.
Predators: Herbivorous caterpillars of the Marsh Fritillary butterfly (Euphydryas aurinia) feed exclusively on this plant; also grazed by livestock.
Mating Season: June to August (flowering period)
Breeding: Reproduces by seed; flowers are visited by insects for pollination; seeds dispersed by wind and water; typically flowers in second year.
Behaviour: Devil's-bit Scabious is a keystone plant for the Marsh Fritillary butterfly, which is entirely dependent on it for larval food. The plant attracts a wide range of pollinators including bees, butterflies, and hoverflies. It indicates species-rich, unimproved grassland.

Sources and editorial status

The short identification summary comes from the Things With Wings species catalogue. The extended species profile is AI-assisted and has not been individually reviewed by a wildlife expert, so verify important identification or conservation details with the specialist sources below.

Profile generated 24 June 2026

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Devil's-bit Scabious · Field Guide · Things With Wings