Russian knapweed

Plants: Forbs/Herbs
Magnoliopsida > Asterales > Asteraceae > Acroptilon repens (L.) DC.
Synonym(s): hardheads
Russian knapweed is a perennial forb that can grow to 3 ft. (1 m) in height. Stems originate from a basal rosette of leaves. The rosette leaves can be unlobed to very lobed and are 2-4 in. (5-10 cm) long. Stem leaves are oblong, pinnately lobed to entire and up to 6 in. (15.2 cm) in length at the base of the stem and become smaller and less lobed toward the top. In summer to fall Russian knapweed produces flowers that are pink to purple and turn straw colored as they mature. The flower heads are approximately ½ in (1.2 cm) in diameter and urn shaped. Fruits (achenes) are ivory-colored with a tuft of hair that falls off at maturity. Russian knapweed is native to Eurasia and was introduced into the United States in the early 1900’s. This species can cause chewing disease in horses.

44 records

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Image Descriptor Description Photographer
1459264 Feature(s) Bud stage with detached bracts Steve Dewey
5358636 Feature(s)

Close-up view of the stem and leaves of Russian knapweed (Acroptilon repens), showing characteristic fuzz (hairs, "knap").

L.L. Berry
5360182 Feature(s)

Seven foot deep root pit

K. George Beck
5374234 Flower(s) Joseph M. DiTomaso
5391795 Flower(s)

A young flower

John M. Randall
1459265 Flower(s) Steve Dewey
5224099 Flower(s) Richard Old
5224100 Flower(s) Richard Old
0022036 Flower(s) Eric Coombs
1459261 Flower(s) Steve Dewey
5391801 Flower(s) John M. Randall
5391803 Flower(s)

Nice flower

John M. Randall
5225001 Foliage Richard Old
5391797 Foliage

Conniving foliage

John M. Randall
5374237 Foliage

basal rosette

Joseph M. DiTomaso
5376283 Fruit(s)

base of achene

Julia Scher
5376284 Fruit(s) Julia Scher
5376285 Fruit(s) Julia Scher
5391796 Fruit(s)

A seedhead

John M. Randall
5306049 Fruit(s) Steve Hurst
0022039 Infestation Norman E. Rees
0022041 Infestation Norman E. Rees
5391798 Infestation

Harrassing a tree

John M. Randall
5391799 Infestation

Excluding all else

John M. Randall
5391800 Infestation

Nasty infestation

John M. Randall
1459260 Infestation Steve Dewey
5391802 Infestation John M. Randall
5391804 Plant(s)

Dessicating

John M. Randall
5374233 Plant(s)

in flower

Joseph M. DiTomaso
5374235 Plant(s) Joseph M. DiTomaso
5374236 Plant(s)

fruiting

Joseph M. DiTomaso
1459258 Plant(s) Steve Dewey
1459262 Plant(s) Steve Dewey
1459263 Plant(s) Steve Dewey
0022037 Plant(s) Norman E. Rees
0022038 Plant(s) Norman E. Rees
5358634 Research

Dr. George Beck, Colorado State University, measuring the root penetration of a Russian knapweed plant (Acroptilon repens).

L.L. Berry
5360181 Root(s)

Crown root section of Russian knapweed

K. George Beck
5364437 Seed(s)

Seeds of Russian knapweed (Acroptilon repens).

Howard F. Schwartz
5376286 Seed(s)

cross section

Julia Scher
5358635 Seedling(s)

Seedling Russian knapweed plant (Acroptilon repens).

L.L. Berry
1459259 Seedling(s) Steve Dewey
5225002 Stem(s) Richard Old
5360183 Twig(s)/Shoot(s)

Russian knapweed buds in April

K. George Beck


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