|
|
 Flower head Max Licher @http://swbiodiversity.org, Usage Rights: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike (CC BY-SA) |  Leaf Patrick Alexander @http://swbiodiversity.org, Usage Rights: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike (CC BY-SA) |  Plant - summer 89A south of FlagstaffMax Licher @http://swbiodiversity.org, Usage Rights: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike (CC BY-SA) |  Max Licher @http://swbiodiversity.org, Usage Rights: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike (CC BY-SA) | | |
|
Origin:
Introduced
Life Cycle:
Perennial
General Desc:
A creeping forb that forms dense colonies from a deep spreading root system. Stems grow up to 4 feet and are erect and openly branched. It reproduces primarily by vegetative means, and can spread rapidly.
Identification notes: Rhizomatous perennial; stems and leaves hairy, lower leaves pinnately lobed, middle ones toothed, upper ones smooth margined, lower leaves not much larger than upper. Pink to purplish flower heads of disc only flowers, inner bracts densely hairy, pointed.
Height:
18 to 36 inches
Habitat Description: Cultivated fields, orchards, pastures, and roadsides.
Plant Communities:
Disturbed Areas
Elevation: 3000 - 7000 feet
Color:
Pink to pinkish-purple
Shape:
Daisy or dandelion-like not in clusters
Tubular:
N
Flowering Period:
Jun - Sep
Description:
Flower heads are solitary and at the tip of leafy branches. Bracts are pointed with papery tips. Flowers have a thistle-like appearance.
Leaf Color:
Grayish-green, bluish-green
Leaf Type:
Simple
Leaf Shape:
Narrow
Leaf Margin:
Lobed
Leaf Attachment:
Alternate
Leaves Clasp:
N
Hairs:
Leaves and stems
Spines:
N
Leaf Description:
Lower leaves are 1-1/2 to 6 inches long and deeply lobed. Upper leaves are 1/2 to 2-3/4 inches, generally with smooth margins, but can be slightly lobed. Shoots and leaves are covered with dense gray hairs.
Fruit Type: Achene
Fruit Notes: Achene bristles white, 1/4 to 1/2 inch long.
Seed Notes: A single Russian knapweed plant can produce about 1,200 seeds per year.
|
|
