Beautiful Blue Flower ID

[monkey]

When out driving around at the weekend we came across a field with this beautiful blue flower scattered all through it and I wondered if any one could identify it for me please and tell me is it a wild flower or a crop?

Many thanks

Linda

[SandyBeds]

I think that is Scorpion Weed, Phacelia tanacetifolia (non-native).

It's used as a green manure and is also been planted in field margins to attract hoverflies which then act as a biological control.

Hope this helps.

[tufftie]

I second that We are going to use it as a green manure in a clients allotment Not heard of it's common name before - though I can see why it's called that!

[monkey]

Thank you very much Sandy and Tufftie(Jez!) for your replies. That would make sense because it was not planted dense enough to be a pure crop but as we drove along it caught your eye because of the blue haze. It was planted in quite a large field adjacent to a large field of sweet corn.





Beautiful flower with nice perfume

Linda

[tufftie]

I should think the chances are that it's an organic farm. Looking very pretty from the photos

[ceterach]

Originally Posted by tufftie

a clients allotment

Hi Tuftie, what is all that about?

[tufftie]

Originally Posted by ceterach

Hi Tuftie, what is all that about?

Somebody I garden for has an allotment and it's one of the plants to use as a green manure

[ceterach]

The ultimate in middle-class Britain. To have someone do your allotment!!

Sorry not having a go at you!

[tufftie]

Originally Posted by ceterach

The ultimate in middle-class Britain. To have someone do your allotment!!

Sorry not having a go at you!

I agree but this couple are in their early 90's - so

[ceterach]

Me and my metaphorical mouth!!