Spotted knapweed is a herbaceous perennial. It starts as a rosette for 1-4 years before maturing. Flowering plants have 1-6 stems, sometimes they will have up to 20.
Leaves: Leaves are grayish green and are covered with rough hairs.
Flowers: The flowers are thistle like and are pink or purple. Flowers will bloom in mid-summer to early fall.
Fruits & Seeds: Seeds are dispersed short distances by wind, and long distances by livestock and humans.
Roots: Has a taproot and will sometimes have a shallow mat of fibrous roots.
Ecological threats
- Spotted knapweed invades dry and sandy areas, including oak and pine barrens, prairies, dunes, pastures, and roadsides.
- The roots exude allelopathic chemicals.
- It is avoided by both livestock and native grazzers.
CAUTION Wear long sleeves and gloves when handling. Spotted knapweed exposure can irritate skin.