Brown and greater knapweed
Photos:Arne Ader
Translation: Liis
Brown knapweed
Brown knapweed Arujumikas Centaurea jacea
Greater knapweed Põldjumikas Centaurea scabiosa
The Daisy family (Compositae) is incredibly large, the ox-eye daisy as well as sunflower, dandelion, burdock ... belong to it.
The brown knapweed is a perennial, very similar to the cornflower that however is an annual and lower, and with a more delicate shape. Both species can have pink or white flowers occasionally.
The brown knapweed can be confused with the stronger-growing greater knapweed, but the flowers of the latter are larger and with a more violet colour, and the leaves deeply and pinnately (feathery) cut. The leaves of the brown knapweed are generally entire at the margin, sometimes faintly toothed.
At the edge of the composite inflorescence of the knapweeds are funnel-shaped flowers, they have to attract pollinators to the spot but they have neither pistil nor stamens – these flowers are sterile. Insects carry flower pollen from flower to flower and in the centre of the inflorescence are the disk florets, they have a pistil as well as stamens – the disk florets take care of coming generations of knapweeds.
With the knapweeds as well as the cornflower we have to do with weeds, but with very beautiful weeds.
Greater knapweed
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