Devil's-Bit Scabious: A Spectacle Of Blue

Did you know that only one in ten plants have blue flowers? This makes them one of nature’s biggest rarities!

The Devil’s-bit Scabious (Succisa pratensis) is undoubtedly one of my favourite blue wildflowers. They are known for their lilac-blue, cushion-like flowers and eye-catching appearance, making them instantly stand out.

Once late summer comes around, the damp areas of my local meadows become flooded with this captivating wildflower. The Devil’s-bit Scabious has served as inspiration for my paintings, challenging me to capture its structure and place in the meadow plantscape.

This wildflower also has an interesting story - here are some interesting facts about the Devil’s-bit Scabious.

Devils Bit Scabious at Clattinger Farm Meadows, Wiltshire

What Is A Devil’s-Bit Scabious?

The Devil’s-bit Scabious is a vibrant wildflower, widely seen in damp meadows and marshes, as well as riverbanks. They start blooming around July and stay around until October, but August is when they come to their peak. You can instantly recognise them by their lilac-blue colour which attracts a lot of pollinators such as bees and insects - especially the Marsh fritillary. In fact, it’s their favourite food!

These wildflowers are widely seen in Emmett Hill Meadows, Wiltshire particularly in the Long Meadow. During the summer, the Devil’s Bit Scabious turns the landscape into a sea of purple blue, a marvellous sight.

History Of The Devil’s-Bit Scabious 

Aside from its striking appearance, the history of this wildflower is also quite interesting! Devil’s-bit Scabious gets its name from the Latin ‘Scabere’ meaning scratch. This refers to its use as a treatment for various skin conditions such as boils, scabies, and sores. It was even used as an antidote for bites from venomous animals.

As for the “Devil’s” part? Well, folklore says the Devil himself was so jealous of the wildflower’s healing properties, that he bit them off! It may be the reason behind the roots’ truncated appearance.

Their history, along with their striking colour, makes the Devil’s-bit Scabious one of the most intriguing wildflowers out there. And the fact that it’s a rare blue flower makes it even more captivating.

Have you ever wondered why blue isn’t that common in nature?

Meadow Walk, 120×150cms

Why Is Blue So Rare In Nature?

As previously mentioned, blue flowers are quite rare in nature. The blue colour is achieved through natural pigments mixing with reflected light. The red pigments, used most often by plants are called anthocyanins and acidity changes effect their colours.

Blue flowers rare, but blue leaves are even rarer! Pigments show the colour of the light they reflect, not the light they absorb. Most plants have green chlorophyll, which reflects green light, giving them their familiar colour. Plants absorb blue light because it has the most energy in the visible spectrum. Blue leaves would be absorbing lower energy light than than the more usual green.

Let’s Meet In The Morning 80×80cms

I’ve always loved the Devil’s-bit Scabious for their ability to add height, structure and colour to late summer meadows. Take a look at my wildflower-inspired paintings and subscribe to my newsletter to find out about my latest works and exhibitions. 

To learn more about this wildflower series, check my other blog posts and to see how I have painted them recently there are some on my available work page.

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