Centaurea nigra is a species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae, and is also known as lesser knapweed, common knapweed, black knapweed and bell weed.

Find help & information on Centaurea nigra common knapweed Herbaceous Perennial from the RHS

Common knapweed, also known as 'black knapweed', is a thistle-like plant that can be found on all kinds of grasslands, from roadside verges to woodland rides, clifftops to lawns.

It is a perennial and grows primarily in the temperate biome. Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Great Britain, Ireland, Italy, Morocco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Yugoslavia.

Sep 23, 2021 · Common knapweed is a tough, attractive, and easily grown hardy perennial flower, native to the British Isles. It's a superb wildlife plant as the flowers are rich in nectar and pollen, and attract bees, butterflies, and moths, while the seed heads are popular with seed-eating birds such as goldfinches.

Black knapweed can be an aggressive weed. It was introduced from Europe as an ornamental plant as well as in ships' ballast. Anthropogenic (man-made or disturbed habitats), meadows and fields. Non-native: introduced (intentionally or unintentionally); has become naturalized.

Knapweed (Centaurea nigra) is wild, edible and nutritious food. Identify knapweed via its pictures, habitat, height, flowers and leaves.

In central and southern Britain, the Six-spot Burnet Zygaena filipendulae is a common sight on the flowers of Common Knapweed Centaurea nigra and other members of the Centaurea genus.

Centaurea nigra is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.6 m (2ft). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from June to September, and the seeds ripen from August to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees, flies, Lepidoptera (Moths & Butterflies).

Successional fields, roadsides, and disturbed areas. Much less common than the similar C. jacea but growing in similar habitats. The common hybrid with C. jacea is C. x moncktonii.