Definition

Noun: 1. A flowering plant: An annual plant native to the Old World, known for its fragrant, showy flower heads that range in color from purple to deep crimson. It has been introduced and become established in other regions, including the United States. * Scientific Note: This common name typically refers to plants in the genus Scabiosa, particularly Scabiosa atropurpurea.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The cottage garden was filled with the delicate blooms of sweet scabious.
  • Sweet scabious is a popular choice for cut flowers because of its fragrance and long vase life.
  • We planted a row of sweet scabious to attract butterflies and bees.

Advanced Usage

• In Horticulture: The term is used specifically to distinguish this fragrant, ornamental species from other, often wild, scabious plants.
  • For a continuous display, sow sweet scabious seeds in succession every few weeks.

Variants and Related Words

• Pincushion flower: A common alternative name for plants in the genus, referring to the distinctive shape of the flower head which resembles a pincushion full of pins.
• Scabiosa (n): The botanical genus name for scabious plants.
• Mourning bride: Another historical common name for , particularly the darker-flowered varieties.

Synonyms

• Pincushion flower (common horticultural name)
• Scabiosa atropurpurea (scientific name)

Related Phrases

• Annual scabious: A descriptive phrase emphasizing its life cycle.
  • Unlike some perennial varieties, sweet scabious is an annual scabious.

Noun

1. Old World annual having fragrant purple to deep crimson flower heads; naturalized in United States