Selected Plants of Navajo Rangelands

Diné bikéyah Chi’l nooséłígíí Bąąhą́ą́nosin
Take care of our Navajo Rangelands

Knapweed, squarrose

Plants in grassland habitat
USDA Agricultural Research Service

Squarrose knapweed is a native of the Mediterranean, but is considered a noxious weed in the Navajo rangelands. The plant has an excellent seed dispersal strategy and does well in disturbed areas. Plants have a bushy habit and grow to a height of about 18 inches. Individual flowers have the appearance of a colorful tuft approximately 1/2-3/4 inch wide.

Blooms at various stages, with showy petals in full bloom and with dry, somewhat spiny looking involucres as they dry
Steve Dewey, Utah State University, Bugwood.org
A bright pink bloom with distinctive involucres beneath
Steve Dewey, Utah State University, Bugwood.org
Brushy growth habit
Steve Dewey, Utah State University, Bugwood.org
Various stages of bloom with distinctive involucres with protruding bract tips
Joseph M. DiTomaso, University of California - Davis
Scientific Name
Centaurea virgata
Plant Type
Forb
Growing Season
Warm Season
Habitat
Grasslands
Flower Colors
  • Red/Pink
  • Blue / Purple
⚠
Noxious, Invasive
For definitions, see the glossary.

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