Field Scabious is an erect hairy plant of grassland and road verges, and formerly on cultivated land. The name Scabious derives from the former use of this group of plants to cure scabies and other skin complaints.
A similar plant is Small Scabious, a chalkland plant which is smaller, less hairy, has bristles on the calyx, and has 4-lobed flowers instead of 5-lobed.

Side-on view, showing 4-lobed flowers		Flower underside, showing calyx without bristles

Seeds		Basal leaves