Spotted Knapweed

Also Invasive:

Diffuse Knapweed (Centaurea diffusa) has white flowers

 

 

 

 

Meadow Knapweed (Centaurea debeauxii) has undivided leaves and larger flowerhead bracts with comb-like fringes at the tips

 

 

 

 

 

 

Russian Knapweed (Centaurea repens or Acroptilon repens) has smaller flowers and no black marks on the bracts.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Black Knapweed (Centaurea nigra) is shorter (about 10 – 80 cm tall) with pink to purple flowers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brown Knapweed (Centaurea jacea) has pink flowers and lace-shaped or elliptic leaves.

Spotted Knapweed originates from Eurasia. It was first introduced in North America in the late 1800s as a contaminant of alfalfa seed.

Spotted Knapweed likes open areas and well-drained soils. It is somewhat shade tolerant and prefers more moisture than other knapweeds. However, it is tolerant of a wide range of soil moisture levels. Spotted Knapweed is typically found in grasslands, open forests, along roadsides, on right-of-ways, and clear cuts.

Spotted Knapweed reproduces by seed. One plant can produce up to 40,000 seeds in a season, and one square meter can contain up to 140,000 seeds. Seeds can remain viable in the soil for upwards of 8 years, so Spotted Knapweed infestations rapidly form a significant seed bank. Seeds are self-fertile, but can also be cross-pollinated by insects.

Spotted Knapweed seeds spread in the wind and in contaminated hay, gravel or soil; they can also spread by clinging to animals and the undercarriages of vehicles.

Spotted Knapweed is abundant in certain portions of the Sea to Sky region, but has not yet infested all potential habitats. The goal is to contain the spread of Spotted Knapweed to Pemberton / ISMA 3.

 

Learn to identify Spotted Knapweed: use the images presented in this profile page to learn how to identify Spotted Knapweed.

What to do if you spot it: You can report any Spotted Knapweed sighting by clicking here.

 

DO:

• Regularly monitor properties for weed infestations.
• Ensure soil and gravel are uncontaminated before transport.
• Check wildflower mixes to ensure that they do not contain Spotted Knapweed.
• Minimize soil disturbances (e.g. use grazing plants that prevent soil exposure from overgrazing), and use seed misses with dense, early colonization (e.g. alfalfa or barely) to revegetate exposed soil and resist invasion.
• Ensure that plants are disposed of in a garbage bag if found in floral arrangements to prevent seeds from spreading.
• Maintain grasslands in a healthy, vigorous condition to ensure a productive, competitive plant community.

 

DO NOT:

• Unload, park or store equipment or vehicles in infested areas; remove plant material from any equipment, vehicles, or clothing used in such areas and wash equipment and vehicles at designated cleaning sites before leaving infested areas.
• Plant Spotted Knapweed in a garden, no matter how well-contained its enclosure may seem.
• Move soil that has been contaminated with Spotted Knapweed.

 

Control

Mechanical

Small infestations can be hand-pulled but will have to be repeated throughout the season and over many years. Every effort should be made to remove the taproot with little soil disturbance. If not possible, cut the taproot 5 – 10 cm below the soil surface. It is best to treat Spotted Knapweed before the plants set seed. Mowing doesn’t kill knapweeds; plants mowed at the rosette stage will quickly recover, and mowing after flowering will only further disperse the seeds.

Chemical

Effective herbicides include picloram, dicamba, 2,4-D, clopyralid, aminopyralid, and glyphosate. Note that picloram, while effective, is not suitable for wet, coastal soils.

We recommend that any herbicide application is carried out by a person holding a valid BC Pesticide Applicator Certificate. Before selecting and applying herbicides, you must review and follow herbicide labels and application rates; municipal, regional, provincial and federal laws and regulations; species-specific treatment recommendations, and site-specific goals and objectives.

Biological

Twelve biocontrol agents have been released in BC for knapweeds. They are most effective when used in combination. Several agents show promise for a variety of habitats.

Cultural

Grazing is not an effective eradication method; however having cattle, sheep, and goats graze Spotted Knapweed in early spring may help suppress flower and seed production.