Russian knapweed flower

Description:

Rhaponticum repens is a Class B noxious weed in Utah listed under the name Centaurea repens by which it is more commonly known. Another synonym is Acroptilon repens.It is non-native plant species that forms dense clusters of plants leading to a monoculture that suppresses (suspected to be allelopathic) other plant species reducing forage for wildlife and biodiversity in general.Aug. 31, 2014, Salt Lake valley, roughly six miles east of the Great Salt Lake, open space undergoing development in the corner of an industrial park, highly disturbed vernally moist saline meadow habitat, approx. 4,230 ft. elev.