Cornflower and knapweed are not the same plant life , although they may look similar at first glimpse . Cornflower , also known as Centaurea cyanus , is a democratic garden flower with bright blue or purple petals . It is an annual industrial plant that is native to Europe but has been widely civilise in garden around the world . On the other hand , knapweed , specifically spotted knapweed ( Centaurea stoebe ) , is a non - native invasive species that has become a job in many areas .
One of the key differences between cornflower and knapweed is their growth habit . Cornflower is an annual works , which means it fill in its life cycle per second in one year . It farm from seed , flush , sets seed , and then dies off , usually within a few calendar month . Knapweed , on the other hand , is a perennial plant , meaning it lives for multiple years . It forms a deep taproot and can pass around through both seeds and vegetative growth , making it hard to control once established .
Another difference is in their appearance . Cornflower has narrow , lance - shaped leave that are unremarkably a gray - unripened colour . The root word are slender and can reach summit of up to 3 foot . The flower are the main attracter , with vivacious blue or purplish petals surrounding a dark center . The flowers are solitary and can be up to 2 inches in diam . Knapweed , on the other hand , has profoundly lobed leaves that are often grayish in color . The stem are normally ramify and can produce up to 4 foot tall . The flowers of knapweed are typically pink or purple and are constellate at the top of the stems .
In terms of their ecological shock , Centaurea cyanus is generally not considered encroaching and does not stick a menace to natural ecosystems . It is in the first place grown as an decorative plant and is often used in wild flower meadows and bungalow gardens . Knapweed , on the other hand , is highly invasive and can outcompete aboriginal plant for resource . It forms thick stand and can chop-chop take over bombastic areas of land , reduce biodiversity and disrupting natural ecosystem .
ascertain knapweed can be take exception due to its ability to spread through both seeds and vegetative growth . It often require a compounding of methods , including manual removal , herbicide program , and ongoing monitoring and management . In contrast , cornflower is typically maturate as an annual in gardens and can be well controlled by simply pulling up any undesirable flora .
Cornflower and knapweed are two distinct industrial plant with different maturation habit , appearances , and ecological impacts . Cornflower is a popular garden flower , while knapweed is an invasive coinage that can cause important problems in natural ecosystem . It is crucial to be capable to differentiate between the two to efficaciously bring off and control knapweed and prevent its spread .
Caroline Bates
