Photo Credit: Eric Coombs, Oregon Department of Agriculture, Retrieved from Bugwood.org (Image Number: 5435713), used under CC BY 3.0 US, modified from the original
Meadow knapweed is native to Europe and was planted in Quebec during the late 1800s to attract honeybees.
This knapweed can invade grasslands and out-compete important vegetation which reduces the value of pastures, hayfields, and rangeland.
Meadow knapweed is a hybrid of brown knapweed and black knapweed and, as such, shares characteristics of both parent species.
Hybrids are highly variable in appearance. Therefore, several characteristics need to be considered for a clear identification. The flowers usually have large peripheral petals. The bracts are variable in colour but usually have hair-like margins.
The leaves are green, lance-shaped or shallowly lobed, and become progressively smaller as you go up the stem. Meadow knapweed grows up to 150 cm tall.