​Russian Knapweed, Hardheads,Acroptilon repens,Sunflower Family (Asteraceae)

The Bloom Blog
Blooming this week in the environs of Abiquiú
By Wildflowers of the Southern Rocky Mountains

Found in ditches, roadsides, pastures
Seen blooming in late June by SR 554 south of El Rito

Russian Knapweed grows in a bush one to three feet high with stiff branches and forms dense colonies with creeping roots. Flowers are ½ to ¾ inch across and thistle-like, ranging from white to pink to lavender in color. Bracts are smooth with rounded tips, green and cobwebby. It is toxic to horses and considered a highly invasive, noxious weed by the State of New Mexico and many other states. A single Russian knapweed plant can produce about 1,200 seeds per year. The findings of a recent study suggest it is a promising source of natural antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-cholinesterase and anti-amylase agents for the management of oxidative damage, and pharmaceutical, food, and cosmeceutical purposes. In folk medicine, the plant has been used for many years as an emetic, anti-epileptic and anti-malaria remedy. Source.
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If you are trying to identify a different flower then you can check what other flowers bloom this month. If you cannot identify a flower from the website, send a photo and where you took it to [email protected]. Read online for tips.