Asteraceae

Rhaponticum repens

Common Names: Creeping knapweed

Plant Form: Erect herb. Size: Up to 1m tall. Stem: Hairy, branching. Leaves: Lower leaves lobed, stem leaves undivided, narrow, with smooth or toothed edges, up to 5 cm long, hairy. Flowers: Purple thistle-like flowerheads 5-9 mm across without florets. Outer bracts papery, inner ones feathery. Fruit and Seeds: 3-4 mm long, striped, with feathery parachuting hairs to 8 mm long. Habitat: Crops, pastures, and roadsides. Distinguishing Features: The rare native Rhaponticum (Stemmacantha) australe has deeply dissected leaves.