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Glite Dictionary
Scabiosa atropurpurea

Scabiosa atropurpurea

9.9
A garden plant with scented purple to dark red flowers like a pincushion
  • noun
  • /skəˈbiːoʊsə ˌætroʊpərˈpjʊəriə/
  • Specialized
translation icon : Scabiosa atropurpurea
  • Many gardeners appreciate Scabiosa atropurpurea for its striking purple flower heads that attract pollinators.

Examples

  • The garden's border was brightened by clusters of Scabiosa atropurpurea in full bloom.

  • Florists often use Scabiosa atropurpurea in arrangements because of its unique color and fragrance.

  • I planted Scabiosa atropurpurea for its rich, long-lasting purple flowers.

  • The Scabiosa atropurpurea blooms beautifully in the summer.

  • Many gardeners love the Scabiosa atropurpurea for its vibrant colors.

  • The distinctive clusters of Scabiosa atropurpurea provide a beautiful contrast in any flower bed.

  • During the summer, Scabiosa atropurpurea adds vibrant color and a pleasant scent to the garden.

Synonyms

sweet scabious
vsScabiosa atropurpurea
9.9

A garden plant with scented purple to deep red flowers that attract butterflies

is the common garden name rather than the formal scientific label
pincushion flower
vsScabiosa atropurpurea
8.1

A garden plant with round purple or red flowers that smell nice and attract butterflies

is the formal species designation rather than the popular garden name
mournful widow
vsScabiosa atropurpurea
  • US
9.9

A plant that lives one year and has fragrant purple to deep red flower heads

is the more widely used common name instead of this alternate name

Surface Forms

Scabiosa atropurpurea singular
Scabiosa atropurpureas plural

Morphology

scabiosa + atropurpurea

This is a descriptive binomial name: 'Scabiosa' names the flowering-plant genus and 'atropurpurea' consists of Latin elements meaning dark/purple, so together they denote a dark‑purple Scabiosa. The meaning is compositional (genus + descriptive epithet) and follows a common noun+adjective naming pattern, so a learner who knows both constituents can derive the MWE's meaning.

Etymology

Scabiosa atropurpurea gets its name from old Latin words: Scabiosa may come from a word for 'itch' because related plants were once used to treat skin problems, and atropurpurea means 'deep purple'. So the name helps you picture a deep, purple, pincushion-like flower and remember this species.