Common Knapweed

Name: Common Knapweed

Scientific name: Centaurea nigra

Category: Flowers

Nature Stars: 60

What are nature stars?

About: This hairy, thistle-like plant likes grassland, road verge, sea cliffs and wasteground. It is hardy and grows well in good conditions. Flowers between June and September.

How to identify: The flower looks a bit like a more purple cornflower, with an almost shredded look to the fringed petals.

Where: Very common across all of the UK and Ireland

Fantastic fact: Due to its hardy and fast spreading nature, this plant is considered an invasive weed in North America.

Photograph credit: Philip Precey