Greater Knapweed is a
native
perennial plant of the UK, typically found growing in grassland, woodland margins and waste ground, to a mature height of up to 100cm.
Knapweed is named after the Middle English 'knopweed', meaning a plant with a 'knop', referring to the plant's hard brown flower buds. Greater Knapweed can be distinguished from Common Knapweed by its: taller height; lobed leaves (rather than simple elongated leaves); spherical flower bud; and a composite flowerhead made up of inner disc florets that are shorter and darker and outer disc florets that are longer, with a rayed petal appearance and frilly ends.
Botanic classification and naming: Greater Knapweed is a member of the Daisy (Asteraceae) family. The genus name
'Centaurea' identifies the plant as a Knapweed and its species name 'scabiosa' means 'itching'.
Benefits: Several species of finch feed on the seed of Greater Knapweed.
Benefits to wildlife are also indicated with orange icons in the plant profile bar at the top.
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