Description:

General Description: As a hybrid between black knapweed and brown knapweed, meadow knapweed can have variable characteristics between the parent plants. It is a perennial that typically grows between 1 and 5 feet tall.

Flower Description: Flower heads are solitary and terminal on branch tips. Bracts at the base of flower heads are light to dark brown and have papery, fringed margins. Bracts have a metallic gold sheen when plants are flowering. Flowers are rose purple to white.

Leaf Description: Leaves not divided, up to 6 inches long and 1.25 inches wide with smooth or slightly lobed or toothed margins. Leaves decrease in size up the stem.

Stem Description:

Fruit/Seed Description: Seeds are white to light brown in color and may have a short row of hairs on one end.

Interesting Facts:

Meadow knapweed is an aggressive invasive species that spreads into pastures and meadows. It outcompetes desirable forage plants as well as other native plants species.