Succisa pratensis

Succisa pratensis Moench

Devil's-bit Scabious

Devil's-bit Scabious is a herbaceous perennial plant that can grow up to 1 meter tall. It has a basal rosette of simple or distantly-toothed, lanceolate leaves and produces bluish to violet (occasionally pink) flowers in tight compound flower heads. The plant is gynodioecious, meaning it produces male and female flowers on different flower heads. It is known for its four-lobed flowers, which distinguish it from other similar species like Scabiosa columbaria and Knautia arvensis.

Details

Order:

Dipsacales

Family:

Caprifoliaceae

Genus:

Succisa

Chemistry:

The plant contains various compounds that may have medicinal properties. It has been used traditionally to treat scabies and other skin afflictions, including sores caused by the bubonic plague.

Uses:

Devil's-bit Scabious has been historically used to treat scabies and other skin afflictions. It is also a good source of nectar for various insects, particularly hoverflies of the genus Eristalis. The plant is the larval food source for the marsh fritillary and the narrow-bordered bee hawk-moth.

Flowering time:

June to October

Sowing time:

Plant height:

Up to 1 meter

Flower color:

Bluish to violet (occasionally pink)

Suitable habitat:

Wet or dry grassland and heath on acid or basic soils, found in hedgerows, marshes, meadows, and pastures.

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.

Tenders

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