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Hardiness: USDA Zone 2a: to -45.5 °C (-50 °F) USDA Zone 2b: to -42.7 °C (-45 °F) USDA Zone 3a: to -39.9 °C (-40 °F) USDA Zone 3b: to -37.2 °C (-35 °F) USDA Zone 4a: to -34.4 °C (-30 °F) USDA Zone 4b: to -31.6 °C (-25 °F) USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 °C (-20 °F) USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F) USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F) USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F) USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F) USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F) USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F) USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F) USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F) USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F) USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 °C (30 °F) USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 °C (35 °F)
Sun Exposure: Full Sun
Danger: All parts of plant are poisonous if ingested
Bloom Color: Pale Pink Fuchsia (Red-Purple) White/Near White
Other details: May be a noxious weed or invasive This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds Drought-tolerant; suitable for xeriscaping Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater Self-sows freely; deadhead if you do not want volunteer seedlings next season
Soil pH requirements: 6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic) 6.6 to 7.5 (neutral) 7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)
Propagation Methods: From seed; direct sow outdoors in fall From seed; winter sow in vented containers, coldframe or unheated greenhouse From seed; direct sow after last frost
Seed Collecting: Allow seedheads to dry on plants; remove and collect seeds Properly cleaned, seed can be successfully stored N/A: plant does not set seed, flowers are sterile, or plants will not come true from seed
On Apr 1, 2007, Joan from Belfield, ND (Zone 4a) wrote:
This plant is listed on the North Dakota invasive/troublesome list and this information is being distributed in a guide developed by the ND Weed Control Association and other agencies.
Plant Features
Perennial, up to 3 feet tall, forms patches
Bracts on flower head rounded, pale green, transparent tips
Flowers at the ends of leafy branches
Flowers purple to pink, cone-shaped, 1/2 inch wide
Small stiff hairs give plants a grayish look
Blooms June through September
Primarily spreads by large dark brown to black, bark-like creeping (rhizomatous) roots
Roots may reach depths up to 20 feet
Distribution
Documented in a few areas. Grows under most conditions including salilne and alkaline soils
Interesting Facts
Flowers resemble the garden flower bachelor buttons
Irritates skin, poisonous to horses
Suppresses growth of other plants by releasing a toxin (allelopathic).
Widespread invasive in western U.S.
On Nov 16, 2006, frostweed from Josephine, Arlington, TX (Zone 8a) wrote:
Russian Knapweed, Turkestan Thistle, Russian Star Thistle, Acroptilon repens, is a naturalized plant in Texas and other States and is considered an invasive plant in Texas.
On May 6, 2006, ineedacupoftea from Grand Junction, CO (Zone 7a) wrote:
Culture:
Grow in any soil, concrete, or rock. Treat with a mixture of Glyphosphate (roundup) and 2-4D. The plant must be sprayed when it is getting leafy (when it is 4" tall, any more and it can recover rapidly) and continued to be sprayed untli all of the roots are dead. This is the only plant that survives when subdivisions are buils and soil is cleared- the still come up, even through asphalt. But, with persistnence and water (which makes it grow better but weaker in competition with other plants) it is possible to eradicate it.
If you are an organic no-pesticide sort of person, I suggest you gain a taste for it in your favorite poisonous salad- I'm, afraid that it cannot be controlled without sprays.
On Feb 28, 2006, Soferdig from Kalispell, MT (Zone 4b) wrote:
This is the THE least wanted noxious weed in Montana. It seed readily and cannot be pulled. prevents other plants from growing near its base. BAD PLANT!
On Jan 24, 2003, Terry from Murfreesboro, TN (Zone 7a) wrote:
As with many related species, Russian Knapweed contains toxins that cause "chewing disease" in horses. Livestock will not graze on these plants unless there is no other forage available (which can happen in heavily infested pastures.)
The roots are up to 23 feet deep, making it very difficult to eradicate this weed.
Regional...
This plant has been said to grow in the following regions:
Clifton, Colorado Kalispell, Montana Belfield, North Dakota
