Scabiosa atropurpurea L.  

An erect, simple or branching annual or perennial, to 1 m tall. Leaves up to 20 cm long; the basal ones crenate-toothed or pinnately lobed, with crenate-toothed lobes. The upper ones deeply pinnately lobed with narrow segments. Inflorescence a hemispherical cluster of whitish, bluish, lilac or purplish flowers, between 3 and 5 cm across. Flower heads become much elongated in fruit. The outer florets about twice the size of the inner ones. Involucral bracts free, in 1 to 3 rows, smaller then the flowers. Calyx with 5 dark bristles up to 1 cm long, on a short stalk.