Quercus

Spotted Knapweed

Centaurea stoebe

Not native to Kentucky

Do not plant. Listed invasive in Kentucky.

Ecological relationships

Who uses this plant?

5CaterpillarsGenus host records with ranges including KY

Genus host records with ranges including KY · Centaurea

  • Epiblema scudderianaScudder's Epiblema, Goldenrod Gall Moth
  • Megalographa bilobaBilobed Looper Moth
  • Platyptilia carduidactylusArtichoke Plume Moth
  • Schinia arcigeraArcigera Flower Moth
  • Vanessa carduiPainted Lady, Cosmopolite
Shropshire & Tallamy 2025, Lepidoptera of North America north of Mexico, ZooKeys 1261 (ODbL)
—BeesSoutheastern regional records
6Specialist beesPollen specialists

Pollen specialists · Centaurea

  • Megachile pugnata
  • Melissodes denticulatus
  • Melissodes desponsus
  • Melissodes rivalis
  • Melissodes subillatus
  • Perdita octomaculata
Smith, Bachelder, Russell, Morales, Mosher & Seltmann 2024, Bee-Specialization-Modeling v0.6.1 (specialist host table compiled from J. Fowler's pollen specialist bee lists), Zenodo, CC BY 4.0
12BirdsRecorded genus food-resource interactions; not a state feeding claim

Recorded genus food-resource interactions; not a state feeding claim · Centaurea

  • Anthus rubescensAmerican Pipit
  • Callipepla californicaCalifornia Quail
  • Haemorhous mexicanusHouse Finch
  • Junco hyemalisDark-eyed Junco
  • Melospiza melodiaSong Sparrow
  • Melozone crissalisCalifornia Towhee
  • Pipilo maculatusSpotted Towhee
  • Spinus psaltriaLesser Goldfinch
  • Spinus tristisAmerican Goldfinch
  • Spizella passerinaChipping Sparrow
Show all 12
  • Zonotrichia atricapillaGolden-crowned Sparrow
  • Zonotrichia leucophrysWhite-crowned Sparrow
Hurlbert, Olsen, Sawyer & Winner 2021, Avian Diet Database, Scientific Data 8: 260 (CC0)
Growing and identification

Plant details

Family
Asteraceae
Hardiness
Zones 5b–9b
Soil pH
Acidic to neutral
Flower color
Purple

Safety has not been reviewed for this plant; check toxicity and thorns before planting.

Growing sources and scope
Also known as

Bushy Knapweed; Centaurea biebersteinii; Centaurea maculosa; Spotted Knapweed

Conservation status

Kentucky rankNot available
Global rankGNR
KY statusNot verified
Federal statusNot verified

Conservation source Global and federal source

Native alternatives

Find natives for your garden

Sources