Status:
valid
Authors:
L.
Source:
gcc
Year:
1753
Citation Micro:
Sp. Pl. : 911 (1753)
WFO Identifier:
wfo-0000043513
Common Names
- Black Knapweed
- Centaurea nigra
- Hardhead
Synonyms
- Phrygia nigra (L.) Gray [unknown]
- Centaurea nigra decipiens Bab. [unknown]
- Centaurea austriaca austriaca [unknown]
- Centaurea phrygia phrygia [unknown]
- Centaurea austriaca austriaca [unknown]
- Centaurea phrygia Lapeyr. ex Willk. & Lange [unknown]
- Centaurea pectinata fuscata Rouy [unknown]
- Centaurea jacea nigra (L.) Bonnier & Layens [unknown]
- Centaurea nigra nigra [unknown]
- Centaurea nigra mairei Arènes [unknown]
- Centaurea nigra nigra [unknown]
Description
Centaurea nigra (also called black knapweed, among many other common names) is a perennial herbaceous plant native to Europe and Asia. It has a branching stem and is covered in small, purple flowers. It grows in dry, disturbed soils, such as roadsides and fields.
Uses & Benefits
Centaurea nigra is used as an ornamental plant in gardens and parks, and as a medicinal plant for treating skin conditions.
Cultivars, Varieties & Sub-species
Centaurea nigra sub. nigra
Centaurea nigra sub. carpetana (Boiss.) Malag.
Centaurea nigra sub. gueryi (Maire) Maire
Centaurea nigra sub. aterrima (Hayek) Hayek
Centaurea nigra sub. rivularis (Brot.) Cout.
Flower, Seeds and Seedlings
Centaurea nigra has dark purple thistle-like flowers with a yellow center. Its seeds are small, black and round. The seedlings have long, thin stems with narrow, lance-shaped leaves.
Cultivation and Propagation
Centaurea nigra is a hardy, herbaceous perennial that is easy to propagate from seed. Sow the seeds in early spring in a sunny location with well-drained soil. The plant will reach a height of up to 1.5m and will flower from mid-summer to early autumn. Deadhead spent flowers to encourage further blooming.
Where to Find Centaurea nigra
Centaurea nigra can be found in Europe, including France, Germany, and the United Kingdom.
Centaurea nigra FAQ
What is the scientific name of Centaurea nigra?
Centaurea nigra
What is the common name of Centaurea nigra?
Black Knapweed
What is the natural habitat of Centaurea nigra?
Centaurea nigra is found in grasslands, meadows, and disturbed areas.
Species in the Centaurea genus
Centaurea pseudomaculosa,
Centaurea spicata,
Centaurea loscosii,
Centaurea triniifolia,
Centaurea gadorensis,
Centaurea messenicolasiana,
Centaurea werneri,
Centaurea grisebachii,
Centaurea noguerensis,
Centaurea papposa,
Centaurea vermiculigera,
Centaurea saxicola,
Centaurea linifolia,
Centaurea antitauri,
Centaurea lactiflora,
Centaurea vavilovii,
Centaurea aplolepa,
Centaurea sphaerocephala,
Centaurea integrans,
Centaurea ognjanoffii,
Centaurea stevenii,
Centaurea centauroides,
Centaurea pinnata,
Centaurea aeolica,
Centaurea cankiriensis,
Centaurea ebenoides,
Centaurea ceratophylla,
Centaurea simonkaiana,
Centaurea rothmaleriana,
Centaurea chalcidicaea,
Centaurea pinnatifida,
Centaurea nervosa,
Centaurea foveolata,
Centaurea elbrusensis,
Centaurea triumfettii,
Centaurea hermanni,
Centaurea djebel-amouri,
Centaurea chrysantha,
Centaurea monticola,
Centaurea melitensis,
Centaurea affinis,
Centaurea kizildaghensis,
Centaurea filiformis,
Centaurea scillae,
Centaurea vatevii,
Centaurea sterilis,
Centaurea handelii,
Centaurea androssovii,
Centaurea litardierei,
Centaurea oxylepis,
Species in the Asteraceae family
Aaronsohnia pubescens,
Aaronsohnia factorovskyi,
Abrotanella filiformis,
Abrotanella rostrata,
Abrotanella linearis,
Abrotanella trilobata,
Abrotanella muscosa,
Abrotanella inconspicua,
Abrotanella trichoachaenia,
Abrotanella caespitosa,
Abrotanella nivigena,
Abrotanella pusilla,
Abrotanella linearifolia,
Abrotanella papuana,
Abrotanella rosulata,
Abrotanella emarginata,
Abrotanella fertilis,
Abrotanella spathulata,
Abrotanella purpurea,
Abrotanella patearoa,
Abrotanella submarginata,
Abrotanella diemii,
Abrotanella scapigera,
Abrotanella forsterioides,
Acamptopappus shockleyi,
Acamptopappus sphaerocephalus,
Acanthocephalus benthamianus,
Acanthocephalus amplexifolius,
Acanthocladium dockeri,
Acanthodesmos distichus,
Acanthodesmos gibarensis,
Acanthospermum humile,
Acanthospermum consobrinum,
Acanthospermum glabratum,
Acanthospermum microcarpum,
Acanthospermum hispidum,
Acanthospermum australe,
Acanthospermum lecocarpoides,
Acanthostyles buniifolius,
Acanthostyles saucechicoensis,
Achillea buiana,
Achillea conrathii,
Achillea cucullata,
Achillea styriaca,
Achillea clavennae,
Achillea cappadocica,
Achillea huber-morathii,
Achillea ptarmicoides,
Achillea sieheana,
Achillea barrelieri,