| spotted knapweed | USDA PLANTS Symbol: CESTM U.S. Nativity: Exotic Habit: Forbs/Herbs |
| Centaurea stoebe ssp. micranthos (Gugler) Hayek |
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Taxonomic Rank: Magnoliopsida: Asterales: Asteraceae |
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| Synonym(s): bushy knapweed | |
| Native Range: Europe (BAIL); | |
Spotted knapweed is an herbaceous biennial or perennial plant that invades open areas throughout most of the United States. Its name is derived from the black margins of the flower bract tips which give the flower heads a spotted look. A basal rosette of deeply lobed leaves is produced the first year. Rosette leaves are deeply lobed, petiolate and approximately 8 in. (20 cm) long. Flowering stems are 2/3- 4 ft. (0.2-1.2 m) tall and branched. Stem leaves are alternate and may be slightly lobed or linear. Leaves become smaller and less lobed toward the apex. Flowering occurs in the early summer. Flowers are purple to pink in color and occur on small flower heads. Spotted knapweed invades a wide variety of habitats including pastures, open forests, prairies, meadows, old fields, and disturbed areas. It displaces native vegetation and reduces the forage potential for wildlife and livestock. Spotted knapweed is native to Europe and western Asia. It was accidentally introduced into North America in contaminated alfalfa and clover seed in the late 1800s. |
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Identification, Biology, Control and Management Resources
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| Selected Images from Invasive.org | View All Images at Invasive.org |
 Plant(s); Steve Dewey, Utah State University, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Flower(s); Joseph M. DiTomaso, University of California - Davis, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Flower(s); Norman E. Rees, USDA Agricultural Research Service - Retired, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Flower(s); Flower John M. Randall, The Nature Conservancy, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Plant(s); Steve Dewey, Utah State University, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Plant(s); Rosette Steve Dewey, Utah State University, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Foliage; John Cardina, The Ohio State University, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Fruit(s); Ken Chamberlain, The Ohio State University, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Fruit(s); Barry Rice, sarracenia.com, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Infestation; John M. Randall, The Nature Conservancy, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Plant(s); in flower Joseph M. DiTomaso, University of California - Davis, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
| EDDMapS Distribution: This map is incomplete and is based only on current site and county level reports made by experts and records obtained from USDA Plants Database. For more information, visit www.eddmaps.org Alternative content
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 State(s) Where Reported invasive. Based on state level agency and organization lists of invasive plants from WeedUS database. Alternative content
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