Herb: Black Knapweed


Latin name: Centaurea nigra


Family: Compositae



Medicinal use of Black Knapweed:

The roots and seeds are diaphoretic, diuretic, tonic and vulnerary. The plant once had a very high reputation as a healer of wounds.

Description of the plant:



Plant:
Perennial


Height:
60 cm
(2 feet)

Flowering:
June to
September

Habitat of the herb:

Grassland, waysides, cliffs etc to 600 metres.

Edible parts of Black Knapweed:

Flower petals - raw. Added to salads.

Propagation of the herb:

Seed - sow April in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out into their permanent positions in the summer. Division in autumn. Very easy, larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the summer or following spring. This should be done at least once every three years in order to maintain the vigour of the plant. Basal cuttings in spring. Harvest the shoots when they are about 10 - 15cm long with plenty of underground stem. Pot them up into individual pots and keep them in light shade in a cold frame or greenhouse until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the summer.

Cultivation of Black Knapweed:

Grassland, waysides, cliffs etc to 600 metres.

Known hazards of Centaurea nigra:

None known

Plant information taken from the Plants For A Future.