DIFFUSE KNAPWEED
Centaurea diffusa Lam.
Diffuse Knapweed is a annual or biennial up to 2' tall. A rosette forms the 1st year with a flowering, elongating stalk the 2nd year. Leaves are greyish green, alternate, basal leaves whorled, upper leaves reduced and covered with fine hair. A single, erect, hairy stem grows from a taproot and is branched near the base. Flowers are solitary mostly white with a few pink or lavender. Seedhead bracts end as sharp rigid spines. Seeds are oblong, dark brown or gray with longitudinal lines.
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Photos and information adapted from "Weeds of the West" by Tom Whitson
