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pasture knapweed
Scientific Name: Centaurea bovina
Family: Asteraceae
Category: Dicot
Growth: Forb/herb
Duration: Biennial
Other Names:
Knapweed: An Overview
Knapweed is a common name applied to several species within the Centaurea genus, many of which are considered problematic weeds, especially in pasture and rangeland environments. This overview summarizes key aspects of these plants based on the provided text.
Considerations for Pets
- Knapweed has been reported to cause irreversible brain damage in horses if they consume heavily contaminated pasture or hay.
- Sheep and goat grazing is often prescribed for spotted knapweed control.
Considerations for Livestock
- Knapweed can reduce the quality of pasture lands and baleage.
- Knapweed often infests pasture and hay fields, competing with legume crops.
Common Knapweed Species Mentioned:
- Spotted Knapweed: Centaurea maculosa
- Brown Knapweed: Centaurea jacea
- Pasture Knapweed: Centaurea bovina
- Greater Knapweed: Centaurea scabiosa
- Russian Knapweed: Centaurea repens
- Diffuse Knapweed: Centaurea diffusa
- Black Knapweed: Centaurea nigra
- Meadow Knapweed: Centaurea species
- Common Knapweed: Centaurea species
Taxonomy and Nomenclature:
- Genus: Centaurea
- Pasture Knapweed is also known as Bovina, potentially referencing Centaurea bovina.
Distribution and Habitat:
- Knapweed can be found throughout much of America.
- Spotted knapweed commonly occupies vacant, unmaintained land and parking areas.
- Spotted knapweed tolerates a wide range of temperature and moisture conditions, and is well adapted to open-forest, pastures, and CRP land.
- Diffuse knapweed thrives in dry pastures and waste areas.
Ecological Role:
- Knapweed is often considered an aggressive, introduced weed species that rapidly invades pasture, rangeland, and fallow land, causing a decline in forage.
- Spotted knapweed is a Class B noxious weed.
- Several characteristics of these knapweed species have helped them thrive and become a threat to Minnesota. They outcompete pasture.
Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits:
- Diffuse knapweed is described as a non-native biennial forb.
- Russian knapweed is a non-native deep-rooted perennial.
Interactions with Other Organisms:
- Sheep and goat grazing is often prescribed for spotted knapweed control.
- Common knapweed is a valuable late summer nectar source for butterflies.
Further Information:
- Morris Arboretum can assist with plant identification.
- Encyclopedia of Life (EOL) contains information, but currently lacks articles on Pasture Knapweed (Centaurea bovina).
- Jefferson County Weed Board provides information on Meadow Knapweed.