Centaurea nigra, Common Knapweed

Scientific Name: Centaurea nigra

Centaurea nigra, more commonly known as Common Knapweed, is a hairy plant which can grow to about 65cm in height, with tough, grooved stems and long, slim pointed leaves, appearing singly at intervals along the length of the flower stalk.

The flower heads are relatively small, tightly packed, pinky-purple in colour and opening from rather hard buds (thus one of the common names for this plant is Hardheads), with no larger florets towards the outside, and surrounded by dark brown bracts.

Flowers June to September and found in grassland, roadsides, waste ground, hedgerows and clifftops. Common and widespread throughout Britain.

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