Knautia Arvensis Print

Knautia arvensis

Field Scabious

Family: Caprifoliaceae
Found in Portugal: Common in meadows, open grasslands, and along quiet roads

Description

Knautia arvensis rises lightly above the grasses, carrying soft lilac, pincushion-like flowers on long stems. Its leaves are gently hairy, sometimes deeply lobed near the base. Flowering from late spring through summer, it moves easily in the breeze and draws bees and butterflies in abundance.

Edibility

Not traditionally eaten.
While not known to be toxic, Knautia arvensis has no recorded culinary use and is best regarded as non-edible.

Medicinal Uses

A plant long associated with the skin in European folk medicine.

• Traditionally used as a wash or infusion

• Applied to minor wounds, rashes, and irritated skin

• Closely related to Scabiosa, a genus historically used for skin conditions

These uses are traditional and not strongly supported by modern research.

Safety Notes

• Considered safe for external use in traditional preparations

• Internal use is not well documented and generally avoided

• Careful identification is essential, as many meadow flowers appear similar

Notes

A quiet healer of the fields, Knautia arvensis is valued less for human use and more for its presence—supporting pollinators and softening the landscape with colour and movement.