August 30, 2017

Sheepbit


The picture here below dates from two weeks ago. Hot wetter last week brought flowering season for Sheepbit (Jasione montana) to an end, the little blue balls have faded away and now the plant is difficult to find. Especially when it hides in high grass and brambles.









The little round flowerheads are composed of several dozen very little bell-shaped flowers. Yes, Sheepbit is a member of the Campanulaceae family, it has also the typical blue colour of this family.








It grows in neglected grasslands and field and wood edges on sandy neutral or acidic soil, often in light shadow, and it is not that common in Perigord.








To carry so many flowers you need a lot of stalks, apparently.