Field Guide to Noxious and Other Selected Weeds of British Columbia
Spotted Knapweed
(Centaurea maculosa)
Provincial Noxious Weed
biennial to short-lived taprooted perennial with branched stems
growing to 1.5 metres in height; deeply cut hairy leaves; very
bitter to taste; purple, occasionally white flowers; flowerhead
bracts with black-tipped fringe giving head a "spotted"
appearance