Centaurea nigra

Species category

Weed

Common name

lesser knapweed

Diagnostic characters

Planting unit

AcheneAchene:
A dry, hard, one-chambered, one-seeded indehiscent fruit, as in buckwheat (Fagopyrum) or sunflower (Helianthus). The fruit wall is not united with the seed coat.

Shape

Oblong

Size

  • Length: 4 mm
  • Width: 2 mm
  • Thickness: 1.5 mm

Color

Yellow to light brown

Texture

Longitudinal ridges; surface is covered with a fine pubescence.

Other structures

Lateral scar; collar is thin and finely serrate.

Identification notes

AchenesAchene:
A dry, hard, one-chambered, one-seeded indehiscent fruit, as in buckwheat (Fagopyrum) or sunflower (Helianthus). The fruit wall is not united with the seed coat.
usually do not retain a pappusPappus:
Modified calyx in Asteraceae, composed of hairs, bristles, awns, or scales. The pappus-like structure attached to milkweed seeds is termed a coma. 
. Surface rough with longitudinal ridges and soft pubescence. Size measurements refer to mature achenesAchene:
A dry, hard, one-chambered, one-seeded indehiscent fruit, as in buckwheat (Fagopyrum) or sunflower (Helianthus). The fruit wall is not united with the seed coat.
; immature achenesAchene:
A dry, hard, one-chambered, one-seeded indehiscent fruit, as in buckwheat (Fagopyrum) or sunflower (Helianthus). The fruit wall is not united with the seed coat.
also shown here.

Noxious weed seed categories

State Noxious Weed: Arizona, Colorado, Washington, Wyoming 

AOSA examination list

Not included

Nomenclature

Family

Asteraceae

Valid name

Centaurea nigra L.

Synonyms

Centaurea nigra L. var. radiata DC.

 Centaurea nigra.  Achenes are covered with a fine pubescence. 
Centaurea nigra. Achenes are covered with a fine pubescence.