Centaurea x moncktonii
Description
- Native to Southern Europe.
- Hybrid of black and brown knapweed.
- Perennial that reproduces by seeds.
- Flower is purple, blooms July through September.
- Bracts are brown with a thin fringe. Bracts become shiny as flower matures.
- Seed heads are rounder than those of spotted knapweed (Centaurea stoebe).
- Prefers disturbed and moist sites, along roadways, fields, open grasslands and pastures.
- Distribution in CKISS region is limited to the Arrow Lakes area.
Consequences of invasion
- Foliage is coarse and not palatable to livestock.
- Outcompetes native grasses and other pasture species.
Status in the CKISS region
- Meadow knapweed is classified as Contain on the CKISS Annual Priority List.
- It is present in the Nakusp Invasive Plant Management Area. The goal is to manage the spread of this species and contain it to that area.
- In other parts of the region, meadow knapweed has not been detected.
- It is classified as Regional EDRR for the rest of the region.
- To learn more about how CKISS classifies and manages invasive species, see our Invasive Species Priority Lists page.
Integrated pest management options
- Hand pull small infestations when soil is moist.
- Repeated cultivation is effective.
- Biocontrol agent exists for this species.
- Annual monitoring is recommended