Stem

  • To 5 ft. tall; forms basil rosette, then rapid growth forms flower stems; lower parts of flowering stems are winged
Photo of Mediterranean desert knapweed
 

Leaves

  • Fuzzy leaves with deep, rounded lobes; leaves decrease in size higher on the plant
African Mustard
 

Flower

  • White to pink to purple petals, 0.5 in. tall and 0.5 in. wide with fuzzy hairs at their base; flowers often appear to have no petals; bracts at the base of the flower have light brown, pointed spines; seeds are tiny, barrel-shaped and have a crown of fine hairs that aid in wind dispersal
Photo of Mediterranean desert knapweed
 

Root

  • Stout, deep taproot and many fine, water-absorbing, surface roots

Other

  • Grows best on disturbed ground and seasonally flooded sites; no known occurrences in Nevada
  • Winter annual; each plant can produce several thousand seeds; seed remains viable in soil for several years
  • Can outcompete native vegetation by rapid growth which shades out other plants
Photo of Mediterranean desert knapweed
 

Control

  • Mechanical removal by pulling, digging or hoeing is effective; if plant is flowering, bag up plant and dispose of properly
  • Apply aminocyclopyrachlor+chlorsulfuron, aminopyralid or clopyralid preemergence or post emergence in the seedling to rosette stage; apply 2,4-D or dicamba post emergence during rosette to early bolting stage
Blecker, L., Creech, E., Dick, J., Gephart, S., Hefner, M., Kratsch, H., Moe, A., Schultz, B. 2020, Nevada Noxious Weed Field Guide – Mediterranean desert knapweed, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, Field Guide

Learn more about the author(s)

Heidi Kratsch
Heidi Kratsch
 

Also of Interest:

 
Photo of diffuse knapweed with white and pink flowers
Nevada Noxious Weed Field Guide – Diffuse knapweed
Diffuse knapweed is a noxious weed that has been identified by the state of Nevada to be harmful to agriculture, the general public, or the environment. Learn more about this weed.
 Blecker, L., Creech, E., Dick, J., Gephart, S., Hefner, M., Kratsch, H., Moe, A., Schultz, B. 2020, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, Field Guide
Russian Knapweed Control Trial 2013-2015, Pershing County
A document of effective ways to maintain and control Russian Knapweed crops.
 Foster, S., and Schultz, B. 2016, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, PS-16-04
Paradise Valley Weed Control Demonstration Plot: Russian Knapweed
Russian knapweed is a long-lived perennial broadleaf forb. New populations typically establish from seedlings. Long-term, its spread is largely from the lateral expansion of an extensive creeping root system. Individual plants reproduce vegetatively (i.e., are clonal) and become ...
 Schultz, B. 2005, University of Nevada Cooperative Extension
Managing Spotted Knapweed
Spotted knapweed is an invasive, noxious weed that should be prevented from invading lands in Nevada. It can be successfully managed over time using a variety of integrated measures if addressed in an aggressive, consistent manner using the best knowledge about control methods av...
 Graham, J. and Johnson, W. 2004, University of Nevada Cooperative Extension
Nevada Noxious Weed Field Guide – Russian knapweed
Russian knapweed is a noxious weed that has been identified by the state of Nevada to be harmful to agriculture, the general public, or the environment. Learn more about this weed.
 Blecker, L., Creech, E., Dick, J., Gephart, S., Hefner, M., Kratsch, H., Moe, A., Schultz, B. 2020, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, Field Guide
 

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