Citation: DC., Prod. 6:663 (1838) subsp. repens.

Synonymy: Centaurea repens L., Sp. Pl. edn 2:1293 (1763); C. picris Pallas ex Willd., Sp. Pl. 3, 3:2302 (1803).

Common name: Creeping knapweed, Russian knapweed, hard-heads.

Description:
Perennial to 90 cm high; stems numerous, branched, leafy, ribbed, pubescent; basal leaves oblanceolate, narrowed at the base, pinnatifid to pinnatipartite with dentate lobes, to 15 cm long, pubescent, soon withering or absent; cauline leaves oblong to lanceolate, entire or remotely dentate, acute to mucronate, 1-5 cm long, 2-8 mm wide, pubescent.

Capitula shortly pedunculate, erect, 6-9 mm diam.; involucral bracts pale-greenish, pubescent; outer ones orbicular to obovate, with broad entire membranous appendages; inner ones narrowly lanceolate, with acuminate plumose appendages; florets numerous, far exceeding the involucre.

Achenes 3-4 mm long, pale, striate; pappus bristles to 8 mm long.

Published illustration: Parsons (1973) Noxious weeds of Victoria, fig. 39.

Distribution:  On roadsides and waste land.   Qld; N.S.W.; Vic.   Native to European Russia and south-western Asia. Conservation status: naturalised Flowering time: Oct. — April.

SA Distribution Map based on current data relating to specimens held in the State Herbarium of South Australia

Biology: No text

Author: Not yet available