Centaurea diluta

Centauria diluta_C031-31
Photo: UC Davis Weeds of California

Common names: North African knapweed

Centaurea diluta (North African knapweed) is an annual herb/ (family Asteraceae) with pink-purple flowers and lobed leaves found in the San Francisco Bay area and south coast ranges of California. It is native to southwestern Europe. It favors grasslands. Its hairy seeds are dispersed via wind. It was said to have been introduced to Great Britain as a contaminant in bird seed.

Cal-IPC Rating: Watch

CDFA Rating: None?

Assessment(s)

Plant Risk Assessment - An evaluation of the potential for a plant to be invasive in California.

Weed Management Notes

No Weed RIC Management Notes are available for this species. Check for information on other species in the genus on the Weed RIC site.

Cal-IPC Newsletter Articles

There are no newsletter articles associated with this species yet.

Cal-IPC Symposium Presentations

Presentations are linked where available. Where a presentation is not available, find more information by reading the abstract in the Cal-IPC Symposia Archive.

Other Centaurea diluta Information

  • CalPhotos - Images of plants taken mostly in California.
  • Calflora - Distribution map and records of this species in California.
  • CalWeedMapper - Distribution map of this species in California with ability to determine regional priorities.
  • EDDMapS - Distribution of this species in North America.
  • Jepson Interchange - Information on this plant's taxonomy, biology, and distribution from UC Berkeley's Jepson Herbarium.
  • USDA PLANTS Database - Information on identification and distribution, with links to websites in individual states.
  • Additional photos

    Centaurea diluta_flower head_RonVanderhoff
    Centaurea diluta (North African knapweed) flower head. Photo: Ron Vanderhoff
    Centaurea diluta_infestation_RonVanderhoff
    Centaurea diluta (North African knapweed) infestation. Photo: Ron Vanderhoff
    Centaurea diluta_leaves and stem_RonVanderhoff
    Centaurea diluta (North African knapweed) leaves and stem. Photo: Ron Vanderhoff
    Centaurea diluta_phyllaries on flower head_RonVanderhoff
    Centaurea diluta (North African knapweed) phyllaries on flower head. Photo: Ron Vanderhoff
    Centaurea diluta_seed_RonVanderhoff
    Centaurea diluta (North African knapweed) seed. Photo: Ron Vanderhoff