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Common Knapweed · Field Guide · Things With Wings

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Common Knapweed

Centaurea nigra

Not yet photographed by the community

Purple thistle-like flower; superb for butterflies and bees.

Species Profile

Not threatened; widespread and common across the UK (no formal conservation listing required).

Lifespan: 2–3 years (biennial or short-lived perennial)
Size & Weight: 30–90 cm tall; flower heads 15–25 mm diameter
Habitat: Grasslands, meadows, roadsides, disturbed ground, and field margins throughout the UK.
UK Distribution: Found across the entire UK, including England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland; resident and non-migratory.
Diet: Not applicable—this is a flowering plant that produces nectar and pollen.
Predators: Herbivorous insects such as weevils and seed-eating birds feed on seeds; plant tissues grazed by rabbits and deer.
Mating Season: Flowering period June to September; pollination occurs throughout this time.
Breeding: Wind- and insect-pollinated; produces numerous seeds dispersed by wind and animal fur; seeds germinate in spring.
Behaviour: Common Knapweed is a robust, self-seeding plant that thrives in undisturbed grasslands and often dominates in nutrient-poor soils. It is particularly valuable for pollinators, especially bees and butterflies, and forms a key component of traditional meadow ecosystems.

Sources and editorial status

The short identification summary comes from the Things With Wings species catalogue. The extended species profile is AI-assisted and has not been individually reviewed by a wildlife expert, so verify important identification or conservation details with the specialist sources below.

Profile generated 22 June 2026

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