Editing Centaurea scabiosa

{{Short description|Species of flowering plant in the daisy family Asteraceae}}
{{Speciesbox
| image = Centaurea scabiosa.jpg
| genus = Centaurea
| species = scabiosa
| authority = [[Carl Linnaeus|L.]]
}}

'''''Centaurea scabiosa''''', or '''greater knapweed''', is a [[perennial plant]] of the genus ''[[Centaurea]]''. It is native to Europe and bears purple [[flower head]]s.

Greater knapweed is found growing in dry [[grassland]]s, hedgerows and cliffs on lime-rich soil. Upright branched stems terminate in single thistle-like flowerheads, each having an outer ring of extended, purple-pink "ragged" bracts which form a crown around the central flowers. The plant has deeply dissected leaves which form a clump at the base.

This species is very valuable to bees. It is also a magnet for many species of butterfly. Among them is the [[Melanargia galathea|marbled white]].

This is the only known food plant for [[caterpillar]]s of the [[Coleophoridae]] case-bearer moth ''[[Coleophora didymella]]''. ''Centaurea scabiosa'' has been used in traditional herbal healing as either a [[vulnerary]] or an [[emollient]].

The plant is sometimes confused with [[Succisa pratensis|devils-bit scabious]], however the leaves on this plant are arranged alternately, whereas in devils-bit they are opposite.<ref name="The Wild Flower Key">{{cite book |last=Rose |first=Francis|authorlink=Francis Rose |title=The Wild Flower Key |year=1981 |publisher=Frederick Warne & Co|isbn=0-7232-2419-6 |pages=385–387}}</ref>

==Description==
This perennial herb grows with an erect grooved stem up to 90&nbsp;cm high. The leaves are alternate,  pinnatifid and with stalks. The flower heads are 5&nbsp;cm across and on long stalks. The florets are red-purple.<ref>Parnell, J. and Curtis, T. 2012. ''Webb's An Irish Flora'' Cork University Press.{{ISBN|978-185918-4783}}</ref><ref name="Clapham">Clapham, A.R., Tutin, T.G. and Warburg, E.F. 1968 ''Excursion Flora of the British Isles.'' Cambridge University Press{{ISBN|0-521-04656-4}}</ref>

==Habitat==
Dry grassland, roadsides and calcareous substrate.<ref name="Clapham"/>

==Distribution==
Found in [[Great Britain]] and [[Ireland]].<ref name="Clapham"/>

==Images==
<gallery>
Centaurea scabiosa MichaD 2.jpg|
Bombus veteranus - Centaurea scabiosa - Keila.jpg|
Centaurea scabiosa - põldjumikas Valingu.jpg|
Bombus lucorum - Centaurea scabiosa - Keila.JPG|
20150723Centaurea scabiosa2.jpg|
</gallery>

==References==
{{Reflist}}
* The Wild Flower Key British Isles-N.W. Europe by Francis Rose, page 385

==External links==
* {{Commons-inline}}
* {{Wikispecies-inline}}
* {{PFAF|Centaurea scabiosa}}

{{Taxonbar|from=Q1569852}}

[[Category:Centaurea|scabiosa]]
[[Category:Flora of France]]
[[Category:Flora of Denmark]]
[[Category:Flora of Estonia]]
[[Category:Flora of Germany]]
[[Category:Flora of Ireland]]
[[Category:Flora of Italy]]
[[Category:Flora of Latvia]]
[[Category:Flora of Lithuania]]
[[Category:Flora of Norway]]
[[Category:Flora of Russia]]
[[Category:Flora of Spain]]
[[Category:Flora of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Plants described in 1753]]
[[Category:Taxa named by Carl Linnaeus]]