Spotted knapweed – Centaurea stoebe
Print
EmailCentaurea stoebe L. ssp. micranthos (Gugler) Hayek
Asteraceae (Aster family)
MI Status
Non-native
Life cycle
Biennial or short-lived perennial.
Leaves
First-year leaves originate from a basal rosette,followed by a flowering stem in the second year. Basal leaves are deeply and irregularly lobed on long stalks; stem leaves are alternate and finely dissected. Leaves are grayish green and roughly hairy.
Stems
Erect, wiry stems elongate during the second year, up to 6 feet tall with multiple branching. Stems are roughly hairy and often green to purple-striped.
Flowers and fruit
Terminal and axillary heads consist of purple to pink disk flowers above encircled by distinctly black-tipped bracts below. The seed is enclosed in a single-seeded, olive-green to brown fruit with a bristly pappus that can attach to animals for transport.
Reproduction
Seeds.
Other Documents in this Series
You Might Also Be Interested In
-
Celebrating 100 years of Michigan State University Extension in Alcona County
Published on October 19, 2017
-
Michigan to host national conference on disability in agriculture
Published on January 15, 2026
-
Fifth annual MI Ag Ideas to Grow With virtual conference focuses on food and animal production
Published on January 27, 2025
-
Virtual MI Ag Ideas to Grow With conference returns for sixth year with focus on food and livestock production
Published on January 27, 2026
Accessibility Questions:
For questions about accessibility and/or if you need additional accommodations for a specific document, please send an email to ANR Communications & Marketing at anrcommunications@anr.msu.edu.