Greater Knapweed
Centaurea scabiosa
Description
Height
30–100 cm (12–40 in.). Stem branching from top, bristly.
Flower
Single flower-like 3–4.5 cm (1.2–1.8 in.) capitula surrounded by involucral bracts. Capitula flowers violet red (occasionally pink or white), ray-florets obliquely funnel-shaped, tip lobed; disc florets tubular. Stamens 5. Pistil of 2 fused carpels. Involucre almost spherical, involucral bracts overlapping in many rows, basal part green, tip roundish, brownish black, ciliately fringed. Capitula solitary, terminating stem branches.
Leaves
Alternate, stalked. Blade dark green, slightly leathery, irregularly 1–2 times lobed (occasionally quite entire), lobes narrow.
