Rebekah Garris Collection:
Native and Introduced Wildflowers of Sussex County, New Jersey
Centaurea maculosa, Sussex County, New Jersey
Centaurea maculosa is regarded as a noxious weed.
Centaurea maculosa is a biennial to short-lived taprooted perennial with branched stems growing to 1.5 metres in height. The hairy leaves are deeply cut and are bitter to the taste. Flowers are usually purple, but are occasionally white. The flowerhead bracts have black-tipped fringe, giving the head a "spotted" appearance.
Rebekah writes, "Spotted Knapweed is a hardy plant that will thrive in rocky soil, and tends to take over everything. It attracts many different kinds of butterflies, large and small, especially skippers such as the mulberry wing pictured here."
Poanes massasoit nectaring at Centaurea maculosa,
Sussex County, New Jersey, courtesy of Rebekah Garris.
"It also attracts hummingbird moths, also in a picture I have sent."
Hemaris thysbe nectaring at Centaurea maculosa,
Sussex County, New Jersey, courtesy of Rebekah Garris.
"Knapweed is usually pink to purple, and sometimes white. It has a long blooming season--all summer and into early fall."
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This page is presented by Bill Oehlke and the WLSS.
This site is presented as an extension of Caterpillars Too!, a private North American butterfly site featuring images of U.S. and Canadian butterflies and their caterpillars. The individual butterfly species files are linked to favourite nectar sources.