
Spotted and Diffuse Knapweed
Identification
Spotted knapweed (Centaurea biebersteinii ) - Flowers pink to purple, rarely white, disc florets. Bracts have 5-7 pairs of comb like teeth, no spine at bract tip. Leaves alternate on stem ½ to 2 inches long.
Diffuse knapweed (Centaurea diffusa) - Flowers white to rose or purple. Bracts have comb like teeth with a distinct terminal spine. Leaves similar to spotted knapweed.
Spotted Knapweed
Situation in Kansas
Spotted knapweed is known to exist in Nemaha County in a localized area. Diffuse knapweed is not known to exist in the state, but is present in several Colorado counties near the Kansas border.