Greater knapweed Centaurea scabiosa
Table of Contents
Greater knapweed is a tall, thistle like wildflower, that’s a real favourite with bees, birds and butterflies. It’s a perennial plant, often found in dry grassland, roadside verges on calcareous soils.
Plant family: Asteraceae
Flowering period: June – September
Flower colour: Purple
Preferred soil type: Dry, calcareous
Habitat: Grassland, roadside verges, cliff tops
Status: Common
General information
Growing up to 1 meter in height greater knapweed is a perennial wildflower, native the the UK and Europe. It’s a sun loving plant and thrives on dry soils, often rich in lime (high pH). It can be seen growing in meadows, grassland, roadside verges, waste ground and open woodland.
It’s very similar in appearance to common knapweed, however, despite their similarities, each plant has distinct characteristics that differentiate them. Greater knapweed has larger flower heads with florets that are more open and star-like, producing an ornamental, showy appearance.
Identification
Flower: Greater knapweed produces large, thistle-like flowers that are pink to deep-purple in color. The solitary flower heads are borne on long stems, and surrounded by bristly, lance-shaped bracts that give the heads a spiky appearance. The flowers on common knapweed are somewhat smaller and more compact.
The flower heads are made up of numerous small florets, clustered together to form a larger, rounded head measuring up to 4 cm in diameter. Flowers generally bloom from June until September.
Leaves: The leaves are generally large and can grow quite long (between 15 – 25cm long), with a rough, slightly hairy texture, they are lanceolate to oblong-lanceolate.
They are pinnately lobed, particularly the lower leaves, (lobes are arranged on either side of a central axis, like a feather). The lobes often vary in depth, with some leaves having deep, pronounced lobes, while others are more shallowly lobed.
Value for wildlife
The flowers of greater knapweed are known for producing a significant amount of nectar making them highly attractive to a variety of pollinators, including bees, butterflies, and other insects.
Uses for greater knapweed
Although greater knapweed can be consumed, it’s not commonly regarded as an edible plant in the same way that other wild flowers are. The young leaves, shoots and flower buds may have been consumed in small quantities, but can have a rather bitter taste.
Knapweed has been used in traditional medicine for various ailments, such as use as a diuretic or treating wounds. However, these uses are based more on historical practice than on modern science, where this is little evidence.
Greater knapweed gallery
click to enlarge
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