Plant · GBIF taxon 8087525
Greater Knapweed
Centaurea scabiosaAlso known as Greater Centaury
Greater Knapweed is a robust perennial with deeply divided rough leaves and large purple flower heads borne singly on upright stems. Dark triangular bracts with comb-like fringes form a distinctive overlapping cup beneath each flower head.
knapweedpurple flower headcalcareous grassland
1 / 7—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Produces energy through photosynthesis and stores resources in a persistent rootstock
Predators
- aphids
- weevils
- grazing mammals
ThreatsGrassland conversion, fertilizer enrichment, early mowing, herbicide use, and dense scrub growth
HabitatsChalk and limestone grassland, scrub margins, road verges, banks, and open woodland
Life spanA long-lived perennial that can flower repeatedly over many seasons
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyAsteraceae
- SpeciesCentaurea scabiosa
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Leave flower heads standing for insects and avoid trampling species-rich limestone turf.
Responsible observation
- Identify: Inspect the dark comb-fringed bracts below a large purple flower head.
- Observe: View from the path while noting pollinator visits to individual heads.
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