Scabiosa atropurpurea [Pincushion]

[dancingcat]

Frary, S.C. (2022) Scabiosa atropurpurea  L. (Dipsacaceae) Pincushion.  Photographed in ultraviolet and visible light. LINK

 

Wildflower, garden escapee.

 

Collected 16 May 2022, roadside, Waxahachie TX, USA.  Voucher deposition: Botanical Research Institute of Texas Herbarium (BRIT) S. C. Frary [135].

 

Other Common Names:  Sweet Scabious, Mourningbride, Mournful Widow

 

Synonyms: Sixalix atropurpurea

 

Comment:  Small pink to purple small flowers, growing about 1 foot high, resembling asters but very rounded.  This ornamental is native to Europe and Africa.  In Texas is a garden escapee, rapidly becoming invasive in pastures and prairies.

 
References:
1. George M. Diggs Jr., Barney L. Lipscomb, Robert J. O'Kennon (1999) Shinners and Mahler's Illustrated Flora of North Central Texas. Scabiosa atropurpurea page 376. Published by Botanical Research Institute of Texas, Fort Worth. Online in PDF format at Illustrated Flora of North Texas Online.
2. Texas Invasives Database
 
Equipment [Olympus EM1mk2-broadband + Olympus 30mm f/3.5 macro]
 
Visible Light [f/11, iso 640, 1.6”, Kolari UV/IR Cut HotMirror Pro 2 filter, ambient indoor room light.]

 

 

 

 

Ultraviolet Light [f/11, iso 640, 30”, BaaderU filter, Adaptalux 2x UV LED.]  Note that lighting by LED produces a nearly monochrome image.

 

 

[colinbm]

A beautiful flower in visible light but looses something in UV.