Scabious ssp.

DIPSACACEAE
Egyptian Rose, Mournful Widow, Mournful Bride, Pincushion Flower, Sweet Scabious.


Native to South Europe, North Africa & Western Asia. Escapee of cultivated gardens, now a naturalised weed in Australia & USA. Fast growing & invasive, easily spread seed. Found widespread in gardens, roadsides, paddocks.
To 1 m tall, untidy, wiry stems, with opposite, much lobed leaves on many branches.
Flowers on long stems, pink, lavender, purple occasionally white, forming a compact, many pedalled pincushion head. Spring & Summer.
Flower head drying to a brown or tan , bristly, oblong seed head, 3 x2 cm.
Manually remove plants from gardens or spray with appropriate herbicide before seeding occurs.