Jasione montana - Sheepsbit Scabious

This low-growing member of the teasel family prefers dry places. It is particularly common on field banks and sparse hedgerows, where it copes well with strong winds.

The first flowers appear in May and blooming continues into September. Sheepsbit scabious is usually at its best from late June until early August.

This plant is sometimes confused with Devilsbit Scabious, a somewhat coarser but otherwise similar wild flower. The leaves of Sheepsbit Scabious are long and narrow, while those of Devilsbit Scabious are more oval.