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knapweed (NAP-weed) - n., any of various weedy thistle-like plants of the genus Centaurea, especially C. nigra, with purple flowers on a knot-like bract.
Some are also called centaury or centory, though that's also a general name for any Centaurea, and many are highly invasive weeds. Not all Centaurea are knapweeds, which have been described as looking like a cross between a dandelion and a thistle. Spiny and hard to get rid of, if you get them in your garden, but beekeepers like their nectar production. The name goes back to Middle English, when it was more often spelled knopweed, from knop, alternate form of knob, for the flower shape. Common knapweed (C. nigra):
Thanks, WikiMedia!
---L.
Some are also called centaury or centory, though that's also a general name for any Centaurea, and many are highly invasive weeds. Not all Centaurea are knapweeds, which have been described as looking like a cross between a dandelion and a thistle. Spiny and hard to get rid of, if you get them in your garden, but beekeepers like their nectar production. The name goes back to Middle English, when it was more often spelled knopweed, from knop, alternate form of knob, for the flower shape. Common knapweed (C. nigra):
Thanks, WikiMedia!
---L.
