Scabiosa columbaria, called the small scabious or dwarf pincushion flower, is a widespread species of flowering plant in the genus Scabiosa, native to Europe, Africa, and western Asia, from Sweden to Angola.

[2][3] In the garden it is a short-lived deciduous perennial.

[4] In the wild in Europe it prefers to grow in calcareous grasslands.

[5] Growing to 1 m (3.3 ft) tall by 0.5 m (1.6 ft), it has simple branched grey-green leaves, and pale lavender or blue multi-petalled flowers from summer to autumn.

[3] The following subspecies are currently accepted:[2]