Common Knapweed
ExplorePlants
Common Knapweed
Centaurea nigra subsp. nigra
Common Knapweed is a bright purple flower that grows in fields. It's known for its spiky petals and attracts many pollinators.
Habitat: Fields and meadows
Appearance
The Common Knapweed has striking purple-pink, thistle-like flower heads atop erect, branching stems. Its distinctive, bristly, brown-black bracts below the petals give it a scaly appearance, differentiating it from similar wildflowers. Its leaves are lance-shaped and often hairy.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderAsteralesFamilyAsteraceaeGenusCentaurea
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Ancient people sometimes used knapweed to treat skin problems and sore throats!
Goldfinches love to eat the tiny seeds from its dried flower heads!
It thrives in poor soil where many other beautiful flowers struggle to survive!
Its tough stems provide shelter for small insects from the wind.
Special abilities
Ability
Deep Drinker
Common Knapweed has a deep taproot that helps it find water in dry conditions and survive droughts.
Ability
Sweet Nectar Lure
Common Knapweed produces abundant, sweet nectar that attracts many insects, helping it get pollinated easily.
Ability
Seed Spreader
Common Knapweed can produce numerous seeds annually, ensuring new plants grow even if some are lost.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 30-80 cm
- Spread
- 20-40 cm
- Flower Size
- 2-4 cm
- Bloom Season
- Summer to early autumn
- Edible
- Yes
- Toxicity
- None
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Pollination Method
- Insect
Ecological connections
pollinates
Honeybee
Apis mellifera
Drinks nectar, carrying pollen between flowers.
pollinates
Buff-tailed Bumblebee
Bombus terrestris
An important pollinator, attracted to its rich nectar.
parasitizes
Banded Knapweed Gall Fly
Urophora quadrifasciata
Its larvae create galls within the flower heads.
eats
European Goldfinch
Carduelis carduelis
Feeds on the numerous seeds found within its dried flower heads.
Traits
Aromatic
Aromatic plants produce and emit fragrant volatile organic compounds, often for defense or to attract pollinators.
Flowering
Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.
Grassland
Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals.
Also known as
Centaurea nigra
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Explore with care and ask an adult if you’re unsure what to do.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Common Knapweed?
30-80 cm
How wide does Common Knapweed spread?
20-40 cm
How big are the flowers on Common Knapweed?
2-4 cm
When does Common Knapweed bloom?
Summer to early autumn
Is Common Knapweed edible?
Yes
Is Common Knapweed toxic?
None
What is Common Knapweed's lifecycle?
Perennial
How is Common Knapweed pollinated?
Insect
Snap Map
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