Greater Knapweed
centaurea scabiosa latin

Greater knapweed is found growing in dry grasslands, hedgerows and cliffs on lime-rich soil.

Various colour-forms of Greater Knapweed may be found as well as Common Twayblade.

The leaves and plant can be confused with Greater Knapweed however Knapweed has leaves that are alternate, not opposite.

Centaurea scabiosa or Greater Knapweed is a perennial plant of the genus Centaurea.

The result is a sheltered fragment of chalk meadow where wild liquorice (Astragalus glycophyllos), greater knapweed and bird's-foot trefoil are now in flower.

Examples of plant species found include: Bird's Foot Trefoil, vetches, Greater Knapweed, Bee Pyramidal Orchids, Yarrow (Achillea millefolium), and Ramsons (Allium ursinum).

Plants in the reserve include bird's foot trefoil, common centaury, rocket, St John's wort and yellow-wort and there was a school project to plant further wild plants such as viper's bugloss, greater knapweed, salad burnet and selfheal.

Centaurea scabiosa (I)