Photo Credit: Eric Coombs, Oregon Department of Agriculture, Retrieved from Bugwood.org (Image Number: 5435713), used under CC BY 3.0 US, modified from the original
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Common Name: Meadow Knapweed Scientific Name: Centaurea x moncktonii Habitat: grassland, grassland wet, forests - open areas, forests - wet areas, ditches Provincial Designation: Prohibited Noxious Prohibited Noxious weeds are plant species that are designated as "prohibited noxious" in the Alberta weed regulation. Prohibited noxious weeds must be destroyed, meaning all growing parts need to be killed or the plant's reproductive mechanisms need to be rendered non-viable. |
Origin
Meadow knapweed is native to Europe and was planted in Quebec during the late 1800s to attract honeybees.
Legislated Because
This knapweed can invade grasslands and out-compete important vegetation which reduces the value of pastures, hayfields, and rangeland.
Description
Meadow knapweed is a hybrid of brown knapweed and black knapweed and, as such, shares characteristics of both parent species.
Hybrids are highly variable in appearance. Therefore, several characteristics need to be considered for a clear identification. The flowers usually have large peripheral petals. The bracts are variable in colour but usually have hair-like margins.
The leaves are green, lance-shaped or shallowly lobed, and become progressively smaller as you go up the stem. Meadow knapweed grows up to 150 cm tall.
Learn more about this species:
SeeFact Sheets - Alberta Invasive Species Council
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Meadow Knapweed
