With its large, purple, thistle like flower heads Greater knapweed looks a little like the rayed form of Common knapweed but with larger flower heads and different habitat requirements (for more information check out the Common knapweed page). It grows in grassland, downland, meadows, along cliff tops, road verges and railway lines, on the edges of woods and in old quarries. Knapweed Wild Plant. Greater knapweed is a thistle-like plant that can be found on chalk downlands, roadside verges, woodland rides, hedgerows and clifftops. The Greater knapweed is bigger and blousier than the common knapweed; it is usually pinky-purple and occasionally white. Its flowers are slightly larger and have extended heads, although the main difference between the two are the habitats they enjoy; Greater knapweed is more a flower of taller, less managed swards. It’s a tall, branching plant that can grow up to 75cm. The flower-head is hard and solid, a mass of dark-br… Flowering occurs from July to September. Its leaves are linear to lance-like in shape with incomplete lobes. 12 2 21. Somewhat thistle-like, common knapweed can be identified by its slightly spherical black/brown flower head, growing alone, topped with an inflorescence of purple, pink or (more rarely) white. Once established, Russian knapweed spreads mainly by underground root stocks as seed production is limited compared to other knapweed species. It can often be seen on road verges where wildlife is allowed to thriv and also in hedges. The Wildlife Trusts: Protecting Wildlife for the Future. Knapweed is a firm favourite of our pollinating insects, being a source of good quality nectar. Common knapweed is a wild flower similar in appearance to a thistle, with a vibrant purple crown that’s about 4cm wide. Greater Knapweed Plant. Type: Perennial Height: around 1m Photographed: 20th July 2010 Location: Barnack Hills and Holes (NNR). The plant is self-fertile. It is ideal in poor soil as if the soil is too fertile, it can become too leafy! The bracts are triangular in shape. It is native to Europe but it is known on other continents as an introduced species and often a noxious weed.. Butterfly Animal Insect. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees, flies, Lepidoptera (Moths & Butterflies). Knapweed Blue Blossom. A group of these will look great at the back of a border or in your meadow. The flowers of both species (which in some forms are rayed) attract large numbers and a wide diiversity of pollinator species. Find the perfect knapweed stock photo. Lesser knapweed’s dark extension of the involucre is ciliately lobed like the teeth of a comb. Huge collection, amazing choice, 100+ million high quality, affordable RF and RM images. Common names for this genus are centaury, centory, starthistles, knapweeds, centaureas and the more ambiguous "bluets"; a vernacular name used for these plants in parts of England is "loggerheads" (common knapweed).The Plectocephalus group – possibly a distinct genus – is known as basketflowers. No need to register, buy now! Apart from its ray-florets, lesser knapweed resembles our more common wig knapweed (C. phrygia) and brown knapweed (C. jacea; also known as brownray knapweed). Knapweed Blue. A hairy perennial with stiff erect ribbed stems, Common Knapweed grows up to a metre in height and its upper part branches freely. 17 6 8. The Wildlife Trusts is a movement made up of 46 Wildlife Trusts: independent charities with a shared mission. Greater Knapweed and friend canvas. Heads of Greater knapweed and friend canvas be part of the involucre is ciliately lobed like the of... Only rewarding, but it may be introduced in wildflower mixes tell her the man her. 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