#devil’s-bitscabious

[jillraggett]

Plant of the Day

Wednesday 7 September 2022

A wildflower of damp meadows, marshes, and riverbanks Succisa pratensis (Devil’s-bit scabious, lady’s pincushion, bachelor’s buttons, blue bonnets) is flowering along the roadsides of Orkney. The flowers provide late season nectar for pollinators and the foliage is the foodplant for the declining butterfly Euphydryas aurinia (marsh fritillary).

Jill Raggett

[jillraggett]

Plant of the Day

Thursday 5 September 2019

In late summer on Orkney the Succisa pratensis (Devil’s-bit scabious, blue bonnets, blue buttons, blue kiss) heralds the end of summer. This native plant grows in moist and slightly acidic soils and is found on cliff-tops, inland heaths, and rough grassland. It is popular with bees, moths and butterflies, including the painted lady butterfly (Vanessa cardui) seen here. Despite their delicate appearance, these insects can cover up to 100 miles each day as they migrate. This year has been a ‘painted lady year’ with many reaching the far north of the UK. It can take up to six generations (each life cycle takes five to eight week) to make the annual migration, leaving Africa in April and heading northwards.

Jill Raggett