Cephalaria alpina

Flower name
Cephalaria alpina
Scientific name
Cephalaria alpina
Aliasyellow cephalaria, alpine scabious, yellow scabious, Cephalaria alpina, Scabiosa alpina, Scabieuse des alpes, アルパインスカビオサ, セファラリアアルピナ, セファラリアアルピナ
Place of originEuropean Alps
Place of floweringHigh mountain, Sub-alpine
Flowering seasonJune, July, August

What is Cephalaria alpina

Cephalaria alpina, also known by its scientific name Cephalaria alpina, is a hardy perennial plant belonging to the Caprifoliaceae family, native to the European Alps. It grows on the limestone soils of the subalpine to mid-mountain regions of the Alps. Commonly referred to in English as Alpine scabious, yellow cephalaria, yellow scabious, or Scabieuse des alpes, Cephalaria alpina has a slightly shorter height compared to Cephalaria gigantea.

It typically grows to a height of 60-100 cm. The long stems are branching and densely covered with hair. The leaves are pinnate rosettes, about 1 cm long and 0.3 cm wide, covered in fine hair.

From June to August, flower stalks emerge from between the leaves, bearing head-like flower clusters that resemble pincushions, with pale yellow flowers about 4 cm in diameter. The flowers are similar to those of the scabious genus and are pollinated by insects such as bumblebees.

The resemblance of Cephalaria to Scabiosa:
＊Cephalaria genus:
Cephalaria alpina (Scientific name: Cephalaria alpina):
Native to the western European Alps. It produces tall stalks and pale yellow flower heads.

＊Scabiosa genus:
Scabiosa japonica (Japanese scabious, Scientific name: Scabiosa japonica
Endemic to Japan, tall in height, and blooms in the autumn in highlands with pale bluish-purple flowers.

Scabiosa japonica var.alpina
A high-altitude variant of Scabiosa japonica endemic to Japan, shorter than Scabiosa japonica with larger flower heads, blooms in summer in high mountains.

Scabiosa atropurpurea (Pincushion flower, Scientific name: Scabiosa atropurpurea):
Native to Europe, a close relative with a variety of flower colors, and the central and peripheral parts of the flower both stand out.

Common Name: Cephalaria alpina
Scientific Name: Cephalaria alpina, Synonym: Scabiosa alpina L
Classification: Plantae, Angiosperms, Eudicots, Dipsacales, Caprifoliaceae, Cephalaria
Other Names: Alpine scabious, yellow cephalaria, yellow scabious, Scabieuse des alpes
Origin: European Alps
Habitat: Limestone soils in mountainous regions
Life Form: Perennial
Height: 60-100 cm
Leaf Stalk: Present
Leaf Underside: Densely covered with hair
Leaf Shape: Pinnate
Leaf Margin: Serrated
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Blooming Period: June to August
Inflorescence: Head-like flower clusters
Flower Color: Pale yellow
Flower Diameter: 4 cm
Visitors: Bumblebees (Bombus), butterflies, moths, birds; the flowers provide nectar and pollen.
Toxicity: None
Uses: Flower beds, garden planting, cut flowers.