Japanese name: セイヨウマツムシソウ（西洋松虫草） Scientific name:Scabiosa atropurpurea
[Overview]
An annual or biennial 60–90 cm tall.
The stem is erect and branches in the upper part.
There are basal leaves and leaves opposite on the stem; the basal leaves are spatulate with teeth or are pinnately divided.
The stem leaves are deeply pinnately divided.
At the branch tips, deep red flower heads 5 cm across bloom facing upward.
The corolla is 5-lobed; the flowers in the center of the inflorescence are small and tubular, while those along the edge develop into a two-lipped form.
The fruits are achenes, densely clustered into an elliptic fruiting head.
[Cultivation]
Propagate from seed or by shoot cuttings.
It prefers a cool climate, and the plant weakens in heat and humidity.
It prefers fertile, sunny, well-drained soil.
It dislikes acidic soil.
It tolerates dryness but dislikes excess moisture, so for potted plants water thoroughly after the soil has dried, and for plants in the ground rainfall is sufficient.
If basal fertilizer is applied, no further fertilizing is particularly necessary, but for potted plants a small amount of slow-release fertilizer may be applied in spring and autumn.
Gray mold can occur.
