Centaurea scabiosa

Taxobox
name = "Centaurea scabiosa"


image_width = 240px
regnum = Plantae
divisio = Magnoliophyta
classis = Magnoliopsida
ordo = Asterales
familia = Asteraceae
tribus = Cynareae
genus = "Centaurea"
species = "C. scabiosa"
binomial = "Centaurea scabiosa"
binomial_authority = L.

"Centaurea scabiosa" or Greater Knapweed is a perennial plant of the genus "Centaurea". It is native to Europe and bears purple flower heads.

Greater knapweed is found growing in dry grasslands, hedgerows and cliffs on lime-rich soil. Upright branched stems terminate in single thistle-like flowerheads, each having an outer ring of extended, purple-pink 'ragged' bracts which form a crown around the central flowers. The plant has deeply dissected leaves which form a clump at the base.

This species is very valuable to bees. It is also a magnet for many species of butterfly. Among them is the Marbled White.

This is the only known foodplant for caterpillars of the Coleophoridae case-bearer moth "Coleophora didymella". Centaurea scabiosa has been used in traditional herbal healing as either a vulnerary or an emollient.

The plant is sometimes confused with Devils-bit Scabious, however the leaves on this plant are arranged alternately, whereas in Devils-bit they are opposite.

References

* The Wild Flower Key British Isles-N.W. Europe by Francis Rose, page 385

External links

# The Wildflower Key British Isles to NW Europe by Francis Rose