Succisa pratensis

Succisa pratensis subsp. var.	Devil's bit scabious
	Habit: herbaceous Height: ⇕ to Width: ⇔ to 12in36in 6in12in Height: ⇕ 12 in to 36 in Width: ⇔ 6 in to 12 in Lifespan: ⌛ perennial Origin: ✈ Poisonous: ☠ Bloom: ❀ early summer, mid summer, late summer, early fall, mid fall, late fall	Exposure: ☼ sun, part-sun Water: ◍ moist, moderate Features: ✓ flowers Hidden fields, interally pass variables to right place Minimum Temp: ☃ °F USDA Zones: 5 to 9 Sunset Zones: Flower features: ❀ blue, purple
	Dipsacaceae > Succisa pratensis var. ,

Succisa pratensis Moench also known as Devils-bit Scabious, is a flowering plant of the genus Succisa in the family Dipsacaceae. It differs from other similar species in that it has 4 lobed flowers, whereas Small Scabious and Field scabious have 5 lobes and hence it has been placed in a separate genus in the same family. It also grows on damper ground.

Its leaves are also un-lobed unlike Field scabious, and are arranged in opposite pairs. The leaves and plant can be confused with Greater Knapweed however Knapweed has leaves that are alternate, not opposite.

It prefers moist soil - damp meadows and woods, lowland heath, marshy areas; but will tolerate drier conditions. Male and female flowers are produced on different heads, the female being smaller. Flowers from June until October.

It is a good source of nectar and is the foodplant of Marsh fritillary, whose eggs are laid in groups on the underside of the plant, and Narrow-bordered Bee Hawk-moth Hemaris tityus. As both plant and invertebrates are rare, their survival relies on careful management of sites containing these species.

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