Spotted Knapweed
Centaurea maculosa
Family Asteraceae

Characteristics:
* Flowers pink, purple, or white, with pale, feathery rays, 1".
* Bracts pale, with fringed, black, triangular tips.
* Leaves deeply lobed.
* Stems wiry, much-branched.
* Height: To 3'.

Natural History:
* Flowers June - August.
* Habitat: Meadows, roadsides.
* Range: Throughout the United States.
* Introduced from Europe.

Connections!
* The genus name Centaurea refers to the Centaur, a mythical beast, half man and half horse, famed for his gifts of healing. Many plants in the Centaurea genus have been used in healing processes.