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Diffuse Knapweed

Centaurea diffusa

Photo by EmilyUmbarger
Published on Project Noah
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44.6628, -85.8162

Field Notes

Description:

I know this is a thistle (Cirsium) but it's the only white one I have ever seen in my field! Any suggestions? Same size and shape as all of the common purples that abound in my field!

Species ID Suggestions

Diffuse Knapweed

Centaurea diffusa

Reference Link
sjlehmann
2

Bachelor button or cornflower

Centaurea cyanus (could be a different species)

Reference Link
KarenSaxton
1

Comments (3)
EmilyUmbarger
I think the suggested Diffuse Knapweed is exactly what it is! Thank you all for the helpful comments! Not thistle afterall!
sjlehmann
Some thistles (like Canada thistle for instance) that typically produce purple flowers can produce white or pink flowers as well. They're not as common but it does happen.
KarenSaxton
Can you add a picture of the purple ones? I can't make my brain see thistle in those leaves. It looks more like a bachelor button or cornflower. In fact that is the ID I'm going to give it http://www.schamis.com/2011/05/it-like-fancy-bachelor-button.html

Spotted for Missions

Mission
Turf Weeds of Michigan
Flora of Michigan
Photographed
PublishedJuly 14, 2013

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