Field scabious is an attractive flower to bees and butterflies but unfortunately the windy conditions meant that there were very few. It gets its name from its rough and hairy stem, similar in texture to scabby skin and in medieval times the juice or an ointment made from the plant was believed to relieve the itch of scabies and other skin conditions. The delicate, frilly petals surround the centre whic resembles a pincushion, giving it the name Pincushion flower.
Another name was Bachelor’s buttons connected with the custom of using the scabious buds to indicate which boy a girl should choose. She would give each bud the name of a boy and wait to see which bud produced the finest flower.