Tyrol knapweed (Centaurea nigrescens, Sp. Pl., ed. 4, 3: 2288 (1803))

Family: Asteraceae

Author: Willd.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl., ed. 4, 3: 2288 (1803)

Year: 1803

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Centaurea

Vegetable: False

Observations: Europe

Description

Tyrol knapweed, scientifically known as Centaurea nigrescens, is a captivating herbaceous plant belonging to the Asteraceae family. Indigenous to Europe, this species is recognized for its striking appearance and distinctive characteristics. The botanical description of this plant was published in the fourth edition of “Species Plantarum” in 1803, an authoritative work by the esteemed botanist Willd.

The Tyrol knapweed features a robust structure with tall, branching stems that are typically adorned with bright, pink to purple flower heads. These flowers, composed of numerous tiny florets, bloom profusely during the summer months, providing a vivid splash of color to their natural habitats. The leaves of this plant are usually lance-shaped and covered with fine hairs, giving them a somewhat grayish-green hue.

Growing predominantly in open meadows, pastures, and along roadsides, Centaurea nigrescens thrives in well-drained soils with ample sunlight. Its resilience in diverse environmental conditions has contributed to its widespread distribution across Europe, where it has become a familiar component of the region’s flora.

The ecological significance of Tyrol knapweed extends beyond its aesthetic appeal. It plays a vital role in supporting pollinator populations, including bees and butterflies, which are attracted to its nectar-rich flowers. However, like many members of the Centaurea genus, it is essential to monitor its spread as it has the potential to become invasive under certain conditions.

In summary, Centaurea nigrescens or Tyrol knapweed is a notable representative of the Asteraceae family, celebrated for its vivid floral displays and ecological contributions. Despite its beauty, its propensity for extensive growth necessitates careful management to preserve the balance within native plant communities.

Common Names

Eng: alpine knapweed, short-fringe knapweed, tyrol knapweed, vochin knapweed, wocheiner knapweed, short-fringed knapweed, short-fringe starthistle
Deu: ennetbirgische flockenblume, schwaaerzliche flockenblume, schwärzliche flockenblume
Fra: centaurée noirâtre, centaurée noircissante
Ces: chrpa
Swe: fjunklint
En: Tyrol knapweed, Wocheiner knapweed, Vochin knapweed, Short-fringe knapweed, Alpine knapweed, Short-fringed knapweed, Short-fringe starthistle
Zh: 繐裂矢车菊
Cs: Chrpa černající, Chrpa
Fr: Centaurée noirâtre, Centaurée noircissante
De: Schwärzliche Flockenblume, Ennetbirgische Flockenblume, Schwaaerzliche Flockenblume
It: Fiordaliso nerastro
Sv: Fjunklint

Synonyms

• Centaurea pratensis subsp. nigrescens ((Willd.) P.Fourn.)
• Centaurea dubia subsp. nigrescens ((Willd.) Hayek)
• Centaurea jacea subsp. nigrescens ((Willd.) Čelak.)

Distribution

• Austria (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Italy (native)
• Poland (native)
• Romania (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• British Columbia (introduced)
• California (introduced)
• Connecticut (introduced)
• Delaware (introduced)
• Florida (introduced)
• Illinois (introduced)
• Indiana (introduced)
• Maryland (introduced)
• Masachusettes (introduced)
• Missouri (introduced)
• Montana (introduced)
• New Hampshire (introduced)
• New Jersey (introduced)
• New York (introduced)
• Ohio (introduced)
• Ontario (introduced)
• Oregon (introduced)
• Pennsylvania (introduced)
• Québec (introduced)
• Rhode I. (introduced)
• Vermont (introduced)
• Virginia (introduced)
• Washington (introduced)
• West Virginia (introduced)
• Wisconsin (introduced)
• Wyoming (introduced)

Additional Images

© 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.

Flower

Taken Aug 14, 2011 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 14, 2011 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 18, 2020 by furs (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 4, 2021 by Michele Bergonzi (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Jul 10, 2022 by Tomaž Jančar (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 11, 2022 by Pascal Durdu (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 30, 2022 by ernst von freyberg (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 24, 2022 by Tomaž Jančar (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 14, 2011 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Jul 15, 2008 by Martin Bishop (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Dec 5, 2008 by EOL − Keir Morse (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jul 20, 2020 by Fereliocat (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 10, 2022 by Tomaž Jančar (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 14, 2011 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 14, 2011 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Apr 18, 2021 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)

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

Fruit

Taken Aug 6, 2022 by James Gaye (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 14, 2011 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3128228)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:191103-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Centaurea nigrescens Willd.)

Specifications

Growth habit>: Forb/herb

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.0

Ph minimum: 6.5

Light: 8

Atmospheric humidity: 5

Bloom months: [‘jul’, ‘aug’, ‘sep’, ‘oct’]

Soil nutriments: 5