|
Centaurea stoebe ssp. micranthos Centaurea stoebe L. ssp. micranthos (Gugler) Hayek Centaurea beibersteinii (lapsus) Centaurea biebersteinii (Jaub. et Spach) Walp. Acosta maculosa auct. non (Lam.) Holub Centaurea biebersteinii DC. Centaurea maculosa auct. non Lam. Spotted Knapweed Family: Asteraceae Spotted knapweed, a native to eastern Europe, was introduced to North America in the early 1900s, as a contaminant in seeds for crops. It has since spread prolifically through much of the U.S. and Canada, where it competes with forage plants intended for livestock. It is considered an invasive species in many areas. Forage animals will eat it only as a last resort. Identification: These ungainly plants average about 24" (60 cm) in height and reach up to 4' (1.2 m). The leaves at the base of the plant are somewhat pale, with oval-shaped leaflets growing alternately from the main portion of the leaf. Thin stems with many branches form a tangle in the upper part of the plant, with very narrow leaflets less than 1" (2.5 cm) in length. The flowers are a pink to purple (rarely white) in color, about ¾" (1.9 cm) in diameter, with each petal branching several times. Here are species with similar-looking flowers. See also Centauria. |
8/4/2009 · Near Nashoba Hospital, Ayer, MA
8/4/2009 · Near Nashoba Hospital, Ayer, MA |
|
|
| ||
| You are here Centaurea stoebe ssp. micranthos |
Lychnis flos-cuculi |
|
|---|---|---|
| Name | Spotted Knapweed | Ragged Robin |
| Plant | Up to 24" (60 cm) (max of 4' (1.2 m)), multiply, densely branched; unruly-looking | 8-35" (20-90 cm) high, slightly branched |
| Flowers |
Pink to purple, about ¾" (1.9 cm) in diameter, with thin sharp-tipped ragged-looking petals |
|
| Leaves | Narrow, less than 1" (2.5 cm) long. | About 2-3" (5-7.6 cm) long, ¼-½" (6.3-12 mm) wide, entire |
| Range/ Zones |
|
|
| Habitats | Well-drained, light soils, prairies, lightly wooded areas, roadsides | Marshy areas |
| Type | Wild | Wild |
| Occurrence | Invasive | |
Online References:
Centaurea stoebe ssp. micranthos at the North Dakota State University Agriculture and University Extension
Centaurea stoebe ssp. micranthos on the USDA Forest Service's Fire Effects Information Database
Centaurea stoebe ssp. micranthos on the Plant Conservation Alliance’s Alien Plant Working Group Least Wanted List
Centaurea stoebe ssp. micranthos on Forestry Images
Centaurea stoebe ssp. micranthos on Keir Morse's site, Keirosity.com
Centaurea stoebe ssp. micranthos at the USDA National Invasive Species Information Center
Centaurea stoebe ssp. micranthos on Invasive.org, Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health (PDF)
Centaurea stoebe ssp. micranthos on SEINet—the Southwest Environmental Information Network
Centaurea stoebe ssp. micranthos description by Thomas H. Kent, last updated 20 Feb 2012.
© FloraFinder.com. All rights reserved.
7/21/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Ayer, MA
≈ 5 × 8" (13 × 19 cm) 
8/6/2009 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton, MA
≈ 5 × 4" (13 × 10 cm) 
Range:
