Diffuse Knapweed
Centaurea diffusa
Washington State Classification
Class B — Control Required (Designated)
It has little value as forage for cattle and limited seasonal value for big game.
Required control in Region 1 (all western Washington counties)
Quick Reference
Identification
Growth Habit
It is an annual, biennial or perennial growing to 3.9 to 31.5 inches. It has a long taproot and generally has one main stem that branches freely. Stems, leaves and flower head bracts covered in hairs. Basal leaves typically die back before plant flowers.
Leaves
Leaves covered with short dense hairs. Basal leaves (leaves at stem base) are short stalked and often twice divided into narrow lobes, growing to 7.8 inches. Stem leaves reduce in size up the stem with top leaves being stalkless, smaller and less divided.
Flowers
Flowerheads numerous and generally narrow. Flowers white or sometimes purplish. Bracts at the base of flowerheads are leathery, have obvious veins and are edged with a fringe of spines plus a longer spreading spine at the tip.
Fruit & Seeds
Seeds are dark brown and small without a pappus or it is minute, less than 0.5 mm.
Impact
It has little value as forage for cattle and limited seasonal value for big game. Infestations increase production costs for ranchers, decrease plant diversity and wildlife habitat, increase soil erosion rates and pose wildfire hazards.
Ecology & Spread
Habitat
Diffuse knapweed grows in a variety of habitats in Washington including river shores, rangeland and pastures. It also thrives in disturbed habitats such as gravel pits, roadsides, railroad tracks, vacant lots, airports, trails and heavily grazed pasture. Please click here to see a county level distribution map of diffuse knapweed in Washington.
Spread Mechanisms
Reproduction
Diffuse knapweed reproduces primarily by seed but may also regenerate from the crown. A single flower stalk can produce 1,200 seeds. When the plant is broken off at the base, it can be blown around like a tumbleweed and disperse its seed.
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Control Methods
Mechanical
- Cultivation will eliminate infestations. Mowing may delay flower production, therefore potentially decreasing seed production.
Biological Control
- Biological control agents available for diffuse knapweed are: Agapeta zoegana, the sulfur knapweed moth that have root mining larvae; Bangasternus fausti, the broad-nosed seedhead weevil that have seed-feeding larvae; Cyphocleonus achates, the knapweed root weevil, which has root mining larvae (larvae feeding within the roots); Sphenoptera jugoslavica, the bronze knapweed root borer that have larvae that bore into and tunnel within knapweed roots; Larinus minutus, the seedhead feeding weevil. For more information about the biological control of diffuse knapweed, please visit WSU Extension Integrated Weed Control Project.