Centaurea scabiosa aka Greater Knapweed

Taxonomy

Centaurea scabiosa, also known as greater knapweed, is a perennial plant native to Europe. It can be found in dry grasslands, hedgerows, and cliffs on lime-rich soil. The plant has upright branched stems that lead to single thistle-like flowerheads. These flowerheads consist of extended purple-pink "ragged" bracts surrounding the central flowers. The leaves of Centaurea scabiosa are deeply dissected and form a clump at the base. This species is highly beneficial to bees and attracts various species of butterflies, including the marbled white. It serves as the sole food plant for caterpillars of the Coleophoridae case-bearer moth, Coleophora didymella. Centaurea scabiosa has also been used in traditional herbal healing as a vulnerary or emollient. It is important not to confuse this plant with devils-bit scabious, as Centaurea scabiosa has alternately arranged leaves, whereas devils-bit scabious has opposite leaves. As a houseplant, greater knapweed requires regular watering and thrives in long-lasting, direct light. It is recommended to place the plant less than 1 foot away from a window. Well-draining soil is preferred, and repotting is necessary each time the plant doubles in size.

Common names

Greater Knapweed, Greater Centaury, Scabious Knapweed

How to care for Greater Knapweed

Water

Greater Knapweed should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

Greater Knapweed loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.

Lighting

Greater Knapweed requires abundant, bright, and direct light to thrive. The best placement for this plant is within one foot of a window to ensure it receives enough light. If you live in an area with more extreme weather, such as hot summers or cold winters, you may need to adjust the placement of the plant accordingly. During hot summer months, it is important to place the plant away from full sun, as this can cause the leaves to yellow or burn. During cold winter months, it is best to move the plant closer to the window to take advantage of the extra light that can help it survive. By keeping an eye on the current weather in your area, you can make sure your Greater Centaury is always in the right place to thrive.

Toxicity

There is no verified data on the toxicity of this plant in the records of Ploi. If any person, including yourself, a family member, or a pet, consume plant material with an uncertain toxicity level, it is advisable to seek the advice of a healthcare expert.

Fertilizer

Repotting the Greater Knapweed should be done either when it has doubled in size or on a yearly basis, whichever occurs sooner. Fresh potting soil with all the required nutrients, refreshed annually, will provide the plant with all the necessary sustenance, making the use of fertilizer unnecessary. Keep in mind that plants receive their energy from the sun, not fertilizer.

Region of origin

Greater Knapweed’s native range is Much of Europe, including Britain, north to 68° N., east to the Caucasus and W. Asia.


More info:
Wikipedia