knapweed (redirected from lesser knapweeds)

knap·weed  (npwd)

n.

Any of various thistles of the genus Centaurea, having variously colored flowers grouped in a head with a spiny involucre.

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[Middle English knopwed : knop, knob; see knop + wed, weed; see weed¹.]

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knapweed [ˈnæpˌwiːd]

n

(Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Plants) any of several plants of the genus Centaurea, having purplish thistle-like flowers: family Asteraceae (composites) See also centaury [2] hardheads

[C15 knopwed; see knop, weed¹]

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

knapweed - any of various plants of the genus Centaurea having purple thistlelike flowers slender knapweed - a variety of knapweed Jersey knapweed - a variety of knapweed centaury - any plant of the genus Centaurea black knapweed, Centaurea nigra, hardheads, lesser knapweed - a weedy perennial with tough wiry stems and purple flowers; native to Europe but widely naturalized Centaurea scabiosa, great knapweed, greater knapweed - tall European perennial having purple flower heads