Centaurea jacea - Brown Knapweed
| Family: | Compositae |
| Habit: | Perennial |
| Height: | 0.6 |
| Synonyms: | |
| Range: | Europe. Naturalized in Britain. |
Brown Knapweed will flower in February to March. the seeds ripen from February to April
The flowers from this plant are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and they are pollinated by Bees, flies, lepidoptera, self
Soil Information
Brown Knapweed will grow in light (sandy),medium (loamy),hard (clay) soil. It is / is important for the soil to be well drained.The soil prefers the following PH / acid levels :
- pH of less than 6, Acidic soils
- pH between 6 and 8, Neutral soils
- pH greater than 8, Basic soils
Brown Knapweed prefers either dry or moist soils
Ideal Planting Locations
Brown Knapweed should not be planted in shady areas.Hedgerows, uncultivated land and waste ground[7].
Planting places suited to this plant described below.
- Can be planted in Cultivated Beds
- Will grow in a hedge row
Cultivation Details
Succeeds in ordinary garden soil[1, 200]. Prefers a well-drained fertile soil and a sunny position[200]. Tolerates dry, low fertility and alkaline soils[200]. Plants are suitable for the wild garden and for naturalising[200]. This species is hardy to at least -15°c[200]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[233].Edible Uses*
* See disclaimerEdible Rating: 0/5
None known
Medicinal Uses*
* See disclaimerMedicinal Rating: 1/5
The root is bitter tonic, diuretic and stomachic[7]. An excellent bitter for treating difficult digestive systems, it is still used in rural areas as a digestive and also to reduce the temperature of feverish children[7]. A distilled water made from the leaves is used as an eye lotion in the treatment of conjunctivitis[7].
- Bitter - Increases the appetite and stimulates digestion by acting on the mucous membranes of the mouth. Also increases the flow of bile, stimulates repair of the gut wall lining and regulates the secretion of insulin and glucogen.
- Diuretic - Acts on the kidneys, promoting the flow of urine.
- Ophthalmic - Treats eye complaints.
- Stomachic - Aids and improves the action of the stomach.
- Tonic - Improves general health. Slower acting than a stimulant, it brings steady improvement.
Propagation
Seed - sow April in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out into their permanent positions in the summer. Division in autumn. Very easy, larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the summer or following spring. This should be done at least once every three years in order to maintain the vigour of the plant. Basal cuttings in spring. Harvest the shoots when they are about 10 - 15cm long with plenty of underground stem. Pot them up into individual pots and keep them in light shade in a cold frame or greenhouse until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the summer.Known Hazards
None knownOther Uses
None knownCultivars
no recorded cultivarsReferences
Flora of the British Isles.Clapham, Tootin and Warburg.
Author: Clapham, Tootin and Warburg.
Rating:
Publisher : A very comprehensive flora, the standard reference book but it has no pictures.
Date of Publication : 1962
The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Huxley. A.
Author: Huxley. A.
Rating:
Publisher : Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
Date of Publication : 1992
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