I'm pretty sure I know what this is, but have never seen this form in person. It showed up in a pretty large patch in my smallest front hayfield. The field didn't get mowed when the others did, which may be why the flower finally got a chance to bloom.







What do you think it is?

Keith

You keep me using the Picture This app. It's a good app for plant ID.

Thanks, I was thinking knapweed too. The flower resembles bergamot, but the plant doesn't have the square stems that members of the mint family have. Another form of knapweed, with smaller flowers grows here too. I have found two types of bergamot here.

I've never seen this form of knapweed. I have frontage on both the state route and my street. This is close to the state route. Some seeds might have escaped from some hay going by.

Keith

According to the app...it is an exotic in Ohio.....got introduced somehow...

Looks like wild bergamot?

When I was mowing today, when I first saw it I thought bergamot. When I got close, I could see the stems were wrong. There is none of the bergamot smell either.

The other knapweed that grows here has comparatively tiny flowers to this one.

Keith

It looks like purple knapweed. It is an invasive that will take over. Kill it quick the seeds stay good for several years.

I think you're right that its bad. I looked it up. It looks like spotted knapweed has a chemical in its roots that kills other plants. I was wondering how it got established, because that field is very dense. Usually this time of year, that field is mostly red clover, with a little bit of orchard grass. There's almost no red clover left in that section.

Knapweed is supposed to be bad for livestock too.

I'll mow it down to prevent it from taking over. It's pretty. I wish it was beneficial or at least neutral.

Keith

The other type of knapweed I have appears to be diffuse knapweed.

Keith

It’s horrible stuff. Get rid of it asap . If it’s just mowed it will grow back real short and still flower to seed . It’s a constant battle along open road sides in some areas here.

Good luck w/ the spotted knapweed, yikes.

I use the free Seek app. It works ok.

I am sure you guys are right but it looks like thistle to me. I am no botanist or anything near it.......jk

A purple one