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| Spotted
Knapweed
Centaurea stoebe |
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Spotted knapweed is a herbaceous
perennial. It starts as a rosette for 1-4 years before maturing. Flowering
plants have 1-6 stems, sometimes they will have up to 20. |
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Leaves: Leaves are grayish green
and are covered with rough hairs. Flowers:
The flowers are thistle like and are pink or purple. Flowers will bloom in
mid summer to early fall.
Fruits & Seeds: Seeds are
dispersed short distances by wind, and long distances by livestock and
humans.
Roots: Has a taproot and will
sometimes have a shallow mat of fibrous roots.
Ecological threats
 | Spotted knapweed invades dry and
sandy areas, including oak and pine barrens, prairies, dunes, pastures,
and roadsides. |
| The roots exude allelopathic
chemicals. |
| It is avoided by both livestock
and native grazzers. |
CAUTION
Wear long sleeves and gloves when
handling. Spotted knapweed exposure can irritate skin. |
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