Pictorial guide to the flora of the British Isles

Home ⟩ Pictorial Guide ⟩ Asteraceae / Compositae ⟩ Centaurea nigra / common knapweed

Centaurea nigra L.

common knapweed (Asteraceae / Compositae)

 SpreadBias within British IslesDirection of bias
Very widespreadNegligible tendencyNW
Plant Atlas 2020
BSBI Distribution Map

Centaurea nigra is a very widespread species of lowland grasslands.

Oxford (VC23: Oxfordshire); 2013-10-29

 common knapweed / Centaurea nigra: _Centaurea nigra_ is a very widespread species of lowland grasslands.

Centaurea nigra is very similar to Centaurea debeauxii, but has broader phllary appendages (completely obscuring the green part of the phyllaries behind), and with a less clearly thickened stem below each inflorescence.

Heaton Mersey (VC59: South Lancashire); 2007-06-26

 common knapweed / Centaurea nigra: _Centaurea nigra_ is very similar to _Centaurea debeauxii_, but has broader phllary appendages (completely obscuring the green part of the phyllaries behind), and with a less clearly thickened stem below each inflorescence.

All images copyright © Christopher J. Dixon unless otherwise indicated.

L-R: Bidens tripartita, Melilotus officinalis, Mimulus guttatus, Thalictrum flavum, Ranunculus peltatus, Anchusa arvensis, Malva alcea, Lolium perenne