NEN Gallery

This plant got its name as the juice was once used to cure scabies, boils and skin diseases. As many as 50 individual flowers may make up the flower head. The flowers are lilac or blue and have four equal petals. It grows in dry fields and on grassy banks. It flowers July to September. The green leaves, which become progressively more divided towards the top of the stem, provide food for several species of caterpillar. To prevent self pollination the male stamens wither before the female stigmas mature. Picture taken 27th July at Hinxworth, Hertfordshire.