Field Scabbard - Decorative And Medicinal. Description, Cultivation, Use. Photo

2023 Author: Ava Durham | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-11-27 07:13

In the meadows of the middle zone, you can often find a delicate flower with lilac fluffy "pads" of inflorescences on long peduncles. Due to its striking resemblance to scabiosa, this plant is often referred to as "scabiosa". But, despite the close relationship, this is a completely different plant and an independent species - Korostavnik. This wildflower is not only very decorative and can be used as a garden plant, but also a valuable medicinal raw material. We will talk about the wide possibilities of using the korostavnik in this article.

Content:

• Korostavnik - botanical information
• The use of korostavnik in traditional medicine
• Korostavnik in garden design
• Features of growing a barker

Korostavnik - botanical information

Field breeder (Knautia arvensis) is a perennial plant, about 60 centimeters high, can reach a maximum of 1.5 meters in height. Bushes are not too branched and have a small diameter at a considerable height. Stems and leaves are covered with fine, rather coarse hairs. Long tap root. Leaves can be whole, but, as a rule, have a very beautiful irregularity (pinnate).

Delicate light purple flowers (inflorescences) with a diameter of 1.5 to 4 centimeters. There are many stamens in the center of the inflorescence (which makes it fluffy in appearance), and the edges of the flower are decorated with dozens of light purple long petals (reed flowers). Peduncles are very long and resilient, as if made of wire; they often have small sessile leaves.

The flowering period is from June-July to September. The fruit is a quadrangular achene, collected in heads that look like fluffy balls. Each seed has small bristles that help them adhere to animal fur and feathers. Ants also carry the seeds of the scabbard over short distances, as they have a soft, juicy growth that these insects like to eat.

The field breeder is widely known for attracting bees, bumblebees, butterflies, moths and other pollinating insects due to the presence of a large amount of nectar that abounds in the flower. Since the plant blooms for a long time, then at the end of summer the korostavnik becomes an especially valuable melliferous plant, since the number of abundantly flowering meadow flowers during this period is noticeably reduced. The breeder is also highly prized by seed-eating birds, as it is an excellent food source for, for example, bullfinches, finches and other birds.

In the wild, the habitat of the korostavnik is the banks of rivers, dry non-wet meadows, pastures, wastelands, roadsides, in bright glades, forest edges and clearings. It can be found on agricultural lands as a non-malicious weed.

Sometimes it can be confused with pale yellow scabiosa (Scabiosa ochroleuca). Externally, the plants are very similar and differ, first of all, in the color of the inflorescences, which in this species are lemon yellow. Therefore, it is easy to think that this scabiosa is a type of scabiosa with yellow flowers, but this is not at all the case.

It is also very similar to the Sivets (Succisa Pratensis) with lilac "pads" inflorescences. But here the main difference is the presence of whole leaves in the latter, while in the barker they are dissected.

Other name knautia field: skabiozka, head (golovnik), rib grass, itch grass, korostyanka. The scientific name of the genus Knautia (bears the name of the German naturalist and doctor Christian Knaut, 1656-1716).

The use of korostavnik in traditional medicine

The main area of use of the scab in folk medicine is the treatment of skin diseases, which is reflected even in its name, formed from the word "scab" (on the skin).

It is effectively used as an external treatment for skin conditions such as scabies, eczema, various rashes and similar problems. For these purposes, decoctions and alcoholic infusion of the korostavnik are used. Herbal compresses are applied to the skin to treat bruises and swelling (inflammation), to cleanse and heal ulcers. For exacerbations of psoriasis, baths with infusion of korostavnik are recommended. Also, such baths are effective for cracks and itching around the anus. And washing with infusion of korostavnik is recommended for the treatment of acne.

If applied internally, it is noted that the herb has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antiviral activity, is used as an antipyretic agent to fight fever. In addition, korostavnik field contains chemical compounds that help to eliminate congestion in the chest, thin mucus and relieve cough, therefore it is recommended in the treatment of bronchitis. Korostavnika herb is included in the anti-allergic and antiparasitic collection, can be used for inflammation of the bladder.

The raw material of the bark is collected during the flowering period of the plant in dry weather. Dried in a well-ventilated room or under a canopy on the street, protected from sunlight. The dried grass of the bark is crushed and stored in tightly closed glass containers.

Attention! To date, korostavnik has been little studied from a scientific point of view, is not a pharmacopoeial plant and is widely used only in traditional medicine. The use of herbal preparations based on it is not recommended without consulting a doctor. It is not used to treat children, pregnant and lactating women.

Korostavnik in garden design

Various types of scabiosa (pigeon, Caucasian, etc.) have become widespread in ornamental gardening and have their fans. Outwardly, the scabiosa has a very strong resemblance to scabiosa, which means it is also no less charming and can decorate the garden.

First of all, this plant is ideal for mixborders in a natural style (in the background or middle ground) or for wild corners in the form of flowering meadows in the garden. Korostavnik will be an excellent partner for various cereals, sage, mountaineer, monarda, daisy, echinacea, euphorbia and other perennials of the natural garden. In addition, its inflorescences stand in a bouquet for a long time, which makes the korostavnik an excellent cut flower for original floristic compositions.

Advantages of a barker as an ornamental plant:

• high unpretentiousness, resistance to disease;
• long flowering period - from July to September;
• decorative root foliage resembling a fern;
• since its flowers adore butterflies, it will be possible to more often observe variegated beauties in your garden;
• good even when faded - heads on long peduncles create graphics in the flower garden;
• the delicate shade of the petals goes well with many other perennials and sets off the brightly colored flowers.

Can a scrubber become a weed? In general, one bark plant sets up to 2000 seeds, so it is advisable to cut off the heads before the seeds ripen. The rhizome of the scabbard is not creeping - in this respect, you should not be afraid of a strong expansion of the plant in the garden.

Features of growing a barker

Korostavnik grows well in moisture-absorbing, but well-drained soil in full sun or light partial shade. The soil can be acidic, chalky, alkaline, clayey or sandy. In short, the plant very easily adapts to habitat conditions, but prefers to grow in moderately fertile, well-drained, alkaline soil in full sun. Diseases rarely affect this resistant plant, but as for pests, sometimes the leaves can be attacked by aphids.

Korostavnik propagates by seeds that are sown in spring in a cold greenhouse. If you have enough seeds, then you can sow before winter, because seeds that fell in autumn germinate in the wild in spring. Basal cuttings can also be rooted in late spring when they reach 10-15 centimeters.

Reproduction of the bush by dividing the bush is possible, but it is painful to take root.