Tumble knapweed (Centaurea diffusa, Encycl. 1: 675 (1785))

Family: Asteraceae

Author: Lam.

Bibliography: Encycl. 1: 675 (1785)

Year: 1785

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Centaurea

Vegetable: False

Observations: Europe to SW. Siberia and Caucasus

Description

Tumble knapweed, scientifically known as Centaurea diffusa, is a captivating member of the Asteraceae family. This plant is documented extensively in botanical literature, with its formal entry dating back to 1785 as recorded in the Encyclopedia.

Originating from Europe, tumble knapweed has a native range that stretches from the western regions of Siberia to the Caucasus. This geographical diversity is a testament to the plant’s adaptability and resilience in various climatic conditions.

Tumble knapweed is characterized by its hardy nature and unique appearance. It commonly appears in grasslands, fields, and disturbed areas where it can thrive in less-than-ideal soils. The plant exhibits a rosette of basal leaves with woolly, lobed characteristics. As it matures, it produces upright, branched stems that are often covered with rough hairs.

The flowers of Centaurea diffusa are particularly noteworthy—they emerge in dense heads and are typically a vibrant, eye-catching shade of purple or occasionally white. These flowers have a distinctive thistle-like appearance, which is a common trait among members of the Asteraceae family.

Ecologically, tumble knapweed plays a complex role. It can be competitive, often outcompeting native vegetation and thus altering habitats. Despite its invasive tendencies in some regions, it also provides nectar for pollinators such as bees and butterflies, contributing to the local ecosystem’s health.

Tumble knapweed is a plant of great interest not only due to its ecological impact but also because of its historical botanical significance and distinctive aesthetic features.

Common Names

Fra: centaurée diffuse
Pol: chaber drobnogłówkowy
Eng: diffuse knapweed, small-flower star thistle, tumble knapweed, white knapweed, small-flowered star-thistle
Deu: sparrige flockenblume
Dan: spindelvævs-knopurt
Ces: chrpa rozkladitá
Est: laiuv jumikas
Lav: skraj
Hun: terpedt imola
Lit: šakotoji bajorė
Nld: wijdvertakte centaurie
Swe: spretklint
En: Tumble knapweed, Diffuse knapweed, Small-flower star thistle, White knapweed, Small-flowered Star-thistle, Bushy Knapweed
Cs: Chrpa rozkladitá
Da: Spindelvævs-knopurt
Nl: Wijdvertakte centaurie
Et: Laiuv jumikas
Fr: Centaurée diffuse
De: Sparrige Flockenblume
Hu: Terpedt imola
It: Fiordaliso diffuso
Lv: Skraj
Lt: Šakotoji bajorė
Pl: Chaber drobnogłówkowy
Sv: Spretklint

Synonyms

• Acrolophus diffusus ((Lam.) Á.Löve & D.Löve)
• Centaurea ammophila (Besser ex DC.)
• Acosta diffusa ((Lam.) Soják)
• Centaurea microcalathina (A.O.Tarassov)
• Centaurea comperiana (Steven)
• Centaurea aemulans (Klokov)
• Centaurea seresiensis (Rech.f.)
• Acosta aemulans ((Klokov) Holub)
• Centaurea sabulosa (Ledeb. ex Spreng.)
• Centaurea spinosa (Griseb.)
• Centaurea ovina (Pall. ex Steud.)
• Centaurea iljiniana (N.B.Illar.)
• Centaurea parviflora (Sm.)

Distribution

• Altay (native)
• Austria (native)
• Baltic States (native)
• Belarus (native)
• Belgium (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Central European Rus (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• East European Russia (native)
• France (native)
• Greece (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Italy (native)
• Krym (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• North European Russi (native)
• Northwest European R (native)
• Romania (native)
• South European Russi (native)
• Spain (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Alberta (introduced)
• Arizona (introduced)
• British Columbia (introduced)
• California (introduced)
• Colorado (introduced)
• Connecticut (introduced)
• Germany (introduced)
• Great Britain (introduced)
• Idaho (introduced)
• Illinois (introduced)
• Indiana (introduced)
• Iowa (introduced)
• Kentucky (introduced)
• Krasnoyarsk (introduced)
• Masachusettes (introduced)
• Michigan (introduced)
• Missouri (introduced)
• Montana (introduced)
• Nebraska (introduced)
• Nevada (introduced)
• New Hampshire (introduced)
• New Jersey (introduced)
• New Mexico (introduced)
• Norway (introduced)
• Ontario (introduced)
• Oregon (introduced)
• Poland (introduced)
• Primorye (introduced)
• Québec (introduced)
• Rhode I. (introduced)
• Saskatchewan (introduced)
• Switzerland (introduced)
• Tennessee (introduced)
• Utah (introduced)
• Washington (introduced)
• Wisconsin (introduced)
• Wyoming (introduced)
• Yukon (introduced)

Additional Images

Habit

Taken Apr 2, 2019 by Tela Botanica − Marie Portas (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 2, 2019 by Tela Botanica − Marie Portas (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 20, 2011 by Tela Botanica − Bertrand BUI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 30, 2022 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 17, 2021 by Miguel A. C. (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Jul 15, 2021 by k.dimitrov d (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 30, 2022 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 15, 2022 by Alain Camoin (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 7, 2021 by Cade Lillquist (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 17, 2021 by Miguel A. C. (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Nov 30, 2022 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 15, 2021 by k.dimitrov d (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 10, 2022 by angela morvillo (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 17, 2021 by Miguel A. C. (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 17, 2021 by Miguel A. C. (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Nov 30, 2022 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Jan 1, 1970 by Photoflora – L’Abbé COSTE (©)

Taken Jul 15, 2021 by k.dimitrov d (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Aug 24, 2022 by Alexander Baransky (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 2, 2019 by Tela Botanica − Marie Portas (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:190370-1)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3128962)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Centaurea diffusa Lam.)

Specifications

Growth habit>: Forb/herb

Growth