Asteraceae

Centaurea stoebe subsp. micranthos

Common Names: Spotted knapweed

Plant Form: Biennial herb. Size: Up to 1 m tall. Stem: Many branched in upper part. Leaves: Hairy and resin-dotted. On stem small, entire or slightly lobed. At base of plant deeply lobed and to 15 cm long. Flowers: Cornflower-like flowerheads solitary at the ends of branches, with pink or purple florets 12-25 mm long. Bracts with brown to purple ends have slender teeth or lobes. Fruit and Seeds: 3-3.5 mm, pale brown, with white parachuting hairs 1-2 mm long. Habitat: Pastures, open forests, disturbed areas. Distinguishing Features: Among introduced Cornflowers (Centaurea species), combination of the many branching stems with many end flowerheads and the absence of spines on the heads.