Knapweed

We saw a lot of wild garlic, scabia, buddleia, bird's-foot trefoil and greater knapweed. ❋ Unknown (2011)

I slowly realise that they are stationed right across this marsh in almost every spike of last year's marsh thistle and black knapweed. ❋ Unknown (2011)

She had walked the trail years ago, long before Hinkley Point C had reached its earliest draft on the planning board, and she had seen the blue and copper butterflies and the pale flax and the golden birds' foot trefoil and the royal purple proud-headed knapweed. ❋ Unknown (2011)

Spotted knapweed, also known as starthistle, was introduced in the U.S. from Europe in the late 1800s. ❋ AP (2010)

He said replacing knapweed with other flowers is a must because of the way Michigan beekeepers use the plant. ❋ AP (2010)

Researchers in Michigan released bugs that feed on spotted knapweed earlier this year. ❋ AP (2010)

He said he fears the economically-troubled state won't have the resources needed to fully replant areas where knapweed is killed off. ❋ AP (2010)

In an open woodland glade on a bank of old limestone spoil covered in grasses, black knapweed, wild basil, pyramidal orchids and harebells, many butterflies were making the most of the sunshine, and the air was full of their strobing brown, gold and white wings. ❋ Unknown (2010)

As part of the knapweed fight, they're looking at what kinds of native flowers could be planted to replace it – both to sustain bees and improve the diversity of wildflowers statewide. ❋ AP (2010)

It's not clear why Michigan beekeepers are so worried about knapweed control when those in other states haven't been as much. ❋ AP (2010)

Somehow their snapping flight filled the space of the clearing and then they landed on dark purple knapweed flowers to feed. ❋ Unknown (2010)

Some in the industry speculated Michigan beekeepers may rely on knapweed more for nectar and pollen than those in other states. ❋ AP (2010)

Two knapweed-eating flies were released in Michigan in the 1990s, but those don't appear to have curbed its spread, Rauscher said. ❋ AP (2010)

Mauve scabious and darker purple knapweed wave their heads in the aftermath of a summer thunderstorm. ❋ Unknown (2010)

"It's not an attempt to take away a resource that beekeepers find valuable, but to replace it with one that might have more functionality," said Ken Rauscher, director of the pesticide and plant pest management division for the Michigan Department of Agriculture, which worked with federal officials to oversee the release of knapweed-eating bugs. ❋ AP (2010)

A few swallows swoop low and the rank green is broken by pink hemp agrimony, cream meadowsweet, blue tufted vetch and purple knapweed. ❋ Unknown (2010)

Michigan officials don't expect to wipe out knapweed; the hope is to pare it back. ❋ AP (2010)

Michigan officials said they're keenly aware of the importance beekeepers place on knapweed, which blooms in late July and early August when many other plants aren't flowering. ❋ AP (2010)

Hemp agrimony, bird's-foot trefoil and knapweed attracted the attention of commas, common blues, red admirals and the only painted ladies we've encountered so far this year. ❋ Unknown (2010)

If knapweed control efforts prove successful, he said: "It could be detrimental to the future of the beekeeping industry." ❋ AP (2010)