Greater Knapweed

Common Name: Greater Knapweed

Latin Name: Centaurea scabiosa

Family: Asteraceae (Daisy family)

Greater knapweed is a close relative of the cornflower (Centaurea cyanus). The flowers very valuable for bees and are a favourite of butterflies such as the brimstone, gatekeeper, meadow brown and the large and small skipper butterfly.

The greater knapweed is a tall plant with deeply cut leaves and pinnately arranged lobes. It has large bright purple-red flower heads 3-6cm across consisting of numerous florets, the outer florets being longer than the central ones.

The greater knapweed is locally common in northern Britain growing on grassland, rough ground, cliffs and waysides mainly on calcareous soils. In the Yorkshire Dales National Park the greater knapweed is uncommon. However, it can be seen on cliffs and species-rich road verges in the limestone country below 250m and in some hay meadows.