Scabiosa atropurpurea

Species category

Flower, Weed

Common name

mourningbride

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

SpatulateSpatulate:
Having a narrow base and rounded apex. Pear-shaped.

Size

  • Length 2.2–3 mm
  • Width 1.2–1.7 mm
  • Thickness 0.7–1 mm

Color

Gray

Texture

Striate

Other structures

The papery surface often flakes off.

Identification notes

The 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 atropurpurea L.

Synonyms

Sixalix atropurpurea L.

 Sixalix atropurpurea.  Achenes with a papery surface often flake off, and the pistil may stay attached.
Sixalix atropurpurea. Achenes with a papery surface often flake off, and the pistil may stay attached.