Meadow knapweed (Centaurea pratensis)

Meadow knapweed is a member of the Sunflower family. It is a perennial that grows up to 3 ½ feet tall with many branches. Lower leaves are entire, coarsely lobed, or toothed, while middle and upper leaves are entire or toothed. Flowers are large pink to purplish-red heads at the end of the branches; involucral bracts deeply fringed, light to dark brown. This species is considered to be a hybrid between brown knapweed and black knapweed. Meadow knapweed is native to Europe. It infests roadsides, waste areas, fields and pastures.