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Brown Knapweed
Centaurea jacea
Brown knapweed is one of four species of lavender-flowered knapweeds that grow in Connecticut (none of them native). Spotted knapweed is the most common species. The scale-like bracts beneath the flowers are a good clue in identifying knapweeds -- see the bottom photo.
• Family: Aster (Asteraceae)
• Habitat: dry fields, meadows and roadsides
• Height: 1-3 feet
• Flower size: flowerheads 1 to 1-1/4 inch across
• Flower color: magenta
• Flowering time: June to September
• Origin: Europe
next in aster family
Note the long fringes of the bracts beneath the flowerhead. On brown knapweed, these fringes have tan or brown tips, as opposed to the black tips of black knapweed or short-fringed knapweed (Centaurea dubia). |