NPSOT Logo
npsot_bluebonnet_full_color

Spotted Knapweed

Centaurea stoebe ssp. micranthos

Other Common Names

None for this invasive

Plant Category

Biennial, Perennial

Invasive Description

Possibly introduced to the United States from Asia or Germany as a contaminate in alfalfa seed, Spotted Knapweed is a biennial to perennial with several branched upright stems growing up to 5 feet in height. It forms a sturdy taproot. Flowers are pink to purple, occasionally, white.

Ecological Threat

Spotted Knapweed rapidly colonizes disturbed areas and is also capable of establishing and persisting in well-managed rangeland. It produces allelopathic chemicals that prevent other plants from growing nearby and that remain in the soil, preventing restoration. When well established, it can occupy over 95% of the available plant community. Livestock and wildlife don’t eat the plant.

You may not want or need to replace this invasive plant, but if you do, options are listed below.

How to Eradicate

For information on how to eradicate this invasive, view our statement on herbicide use and preferred alternatives for invasive plants.

Native Alternatives

You can replace this invasive plant with native alternatives. Here are some plants that make superior replacements.

Match your location on the Texas map to the color squares on the replacement plants below to find suitable replacements for your ecoregion.

Click for more details about the ecoregions