WildBristol.uk - Discovering Wildlife in Bristol

Widespread but local and often coastal throughout the UK. Habitat includes: Disturbed places with dry, well-drained soils such as chalk / limestone downland, heaths, quarries, chalk-pits, gardens, parks, allotments, churchyards, wasteland, railway banks, roadside verges, coasts, cliff tops, sand dunes, shingle dunes, open grassland etc. Flowers: June to July. Growing habit: Biennial / Annual / Perennial. Height: Up to 80 cm. It has declined massively since the 1930s due to agricultural intensification, reclamation, and the development of neglected ground. Other names include: Blue-weed.