Starflower Pincushions

Lomelosia stellata, synonyms including Scabiosa stellata, is a species of flowering plant in the honeysuckle family, Caprifoliaceae. It is known by the common name starflower pincushions or starflower scabious. It was formerly placed in the teasel family. Native to southwestern Europe and North Africa, it is also grown as an ornamental plant. This erect annual has an inflorescence which is a dense spherical cluster of pale blue flowers, followed by showy fruits with striped, fan-like funnel-shaped papery bracts.