Jasione montana L.
Sheep's Bit
Sheep's bit is a low-growing perennial or biennial plant with suberect stems that branch near the base. The leaves are linear, stiffly hairy, and form a rosette. The small violet-blue flowers are arranged in small heads. This plant is known for its generalized pollination syndrome, attracting a variety of insects including bees, wasps, flies, butterflies, and beetles. The flowers are visible under ultraviolet light, which is believed to make them attractive to pollinating insects.
Details
Asterales
Campanulaceae
Jasione
The chemistry of Jasione montana includes compounds that make its flowers visible under ultraviolet light, enhancing their attractiveness to pollinators. The plant also contains nectaries in the upper part of the ovaries, which provide sustenance for visiting insects.
Sheep's bit is not widely known for medicinal uses. Ecologically, it plays a significant role in pollination due to its ability to attract a diverse range of insects. It is also valued for its ornamental qualities in gardens.
May to September
Up to about one foot (30 cm)
Violet-blue
Rocky places, upland regions, heaths and moors in rocky or sandy districts, coastal cliffs, quarries and natural escarpments where the soil is thin, prefers acid soils.
Info
Pannon Flora Ltd. was founded on December 13, 1999, by Gábor Janik, who retains 95% ownership. Janik holds an MSc in Horticulture from the University of Horticultural Sciences (1986) and an Advanced Professional English Certification from the College of International Trade (1990). The company specializes in bird feed production and export, primarily serving markets in Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, and the UK, alongside cultivating and distributing imported/exported horticultural seeds. It maintains exclusive partnerships with JOEUN Seed (South Korea) and Takii Europe (Japan), a leader in professional seed breeding and production. Pannon Flora collaborates with certification bodies such as NÉBIH (National Food Chain Safety Office), MERT Kontroll, and SGS Hungary to ensure compliance and quality. The company works with approximately 400 Hungarian growers, ranging from small-scale producers (under 5 hectares) to mid-sized farms and large-scale agricultural enterprises. This profile emphasizes agribusiness expertise, technical partnerships, and operational scalability tailored to international client needs.
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