Scabiosa sp.

Species category

Flower, Weed

Common name

pincushions

Diagnostic characters

Planting unit

AcheneAchene:
A dry, hard, one-chambered, one-seeded indehiscent fruit, as in buckwheat (Fagopyrum) or sunflower (Helianthus). The fruit wall is not united with the seed coat.

Shape

Conical 

Size

  • Length 4–5 mm 
  • Width 3–4.2 mm 
  • Thickness 3–4.2 mm 

Color

Brown

Texture

Stippled

Other structures

The acheneAchene:
A dry, hard, one-chambered, one-seeded indehiscent fruit, as in buckwheat (Fagopyrum) or sunflower (Helianthus). The fruit wall is not united with the seed coat.
is crowned with a persistent calyx.

Identification notes

There are longitudinal holes in the calyx lobes. The branched pistilPistil:
The female part of the flower that contains the stigma, style, and ovary. The matured ovary becomes the fruit. Inside the ovary is the ovule(s), which when mature becomes the true seed. 
may stay attached.

Noxious weed seed categories

Not listed

AOSA examination list

Not included

Nomenclature

Family

Dipsacaceae

Valid name

Scabiosa L.

 Scabiosa.  Achenes with longitudinal holes in the calyx lobes.
Scabiosa. Achenes with longitudinal holes in the calyx lobes.