Russian knapweed
| Russian Knapweed | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Asterids |
| Order: | Asterales |
| Family: | Asteraceae |
| Tribe: | Cynareae |
| Genus: | Acroptilon |
| Species: | A. repens |
| Binomial name | |
| Acroptilon repens (L.) DC. (1837) |
|
| Synonyms | |
|
Centaurea repens |
|
Russian Knapweed (Acroptilon repens) is a bushy rhizomatous perennial, up to 8 dm tall. Stems and leaves are finely arachnoid-tomentose becoming glabrous and green with age. The rosette leaves are oblanceolate, pinnately lobed to entire, 2–3 cm wide by 3–8 cm long. The lower cauline leaves are smaller, pinnately lobed; the upper leaves become much reduced, sessile, serrate to entire. The heads are numerous terminating the branches. Flowers are pink to purplish, the marginal ones not enlarged. The outer and middle involucral bracts are broad, striate, smooth with broadly rounded tips; the inner bracts are narrower with hairy tips. Pappus present with bristles 6–11 mm long. Fruit is a whitish, slightly ridged achene.
Russian Knapweed is a deep-rooted long lived perennial. Some stands have been in existence for 75 years. It forms dense colonies in cultivated fields, orchards, pastures, and roadsides.
A native to Eurasia, Russian Knapweed was introduced into North America in the late 19th century. Absent only from southeastern U.S., it has become widespread in other regions, especially in the western United States.[1]
Russian Knapweed is the sole member of the monotypic genus Acroptilon. The genus name derives from acro- (high) and ptilo- (feather). Although some sources include this species in the genus Centaurea, molecular phylogeny results, the structure of the flower, and the chromosome number support recognizing it as a separate genus.[2]
[edit] References
- ^ "Acroptilon repens". Flora of North America. http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=200023016.
- ^ "Acroptilon". Flora of North America. http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=100387.
[edit] External links
- USDA Plants Profile - With Many Links to Resources
- Acroptilon in Plantarium Database - A Photo Guide.
- Jepson Manual Treatment
- Photo gallery
- Species Profile- Russian Knapweed (Rhaponticum repens), National Invasive Species Information Center, United States National Agricultural Library. Lists general information and resources for Russian Knapweed.
