Knautia macedonica
# Knautia macedonica

Knautia macedonica, the Macedonian scabious, is a species of flowering plant in the family Caprifoliaceae, native to Southeastern Europe - Albania, Bulgaria, Greece, North Macedonia, southeastern Romania and Kırklareli in Turkey. Growing to 75 cm (30 in), this herbaceous perennial produces rich red "pincushion" flowers, similar to those of its close relative scabious (Scabiosa), on slender upright stems throughout summer.

Knautia macedonica is cultivated as an ornamental plant. It is extremely hardy, down to −20 °C (−4 °F) and below, but requires a sunny position in neutral or alkaline soil. Though it may be short-lived, it self-seeds readily.

