The lesser scabiosa (Scabiosa stellata), which does not usually reach two palms in height, as its name indicates, is the smallest of the species of the genus Scabiosa and the only one with an annual cycle. The leaves are pinnatisect, with 4-6 pairs of lateral segments. It bears hemispherical capitula at the end of long peduncles, with their base adorned by a few bracts like simple leaves, arranged in a star. The capitula bear light blue flowers, progressively larger towards the periphery. They consist of a tubular corolla that eventually opens into 5 lobes between which are interspersed the 5 stamens and a small calyx from which protrude 5 edges. It is clear that the flower of the scabious is not that of a Compositae, although Compositae and Dipsacaceae share the model of inflorescence in capitulum.