Knapweed

Knapweed

Common Knapweed, Centaurea Nigra. It looks to me like a wild bachelors button. Only the  flower head is edible and when taken with pepper, it's said to be a way of restoring lost appetite.. Medicinally it is used for wound healing, sore throats, bleeding gums and catarrh. Some physicians mixed it with other herbs to create antidotes for snake bites. When used medicinally,  the dried root and seeds are used mainly in decoctions, made from one ounce of the dried seeds or root to one pint of water. You boil this mixture until the liquid is reduced by half and then strain it. The dose is apparently 75 millilitres up to three times a day.

Knapweed Seed Pods Over Purple Vetch
 I love how the seed pods look like tiny golden pine cones.

Bee On Knapweed

MY PHOTOGRAPHS ARE AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE THROUGH ELISECREATIONS.ARTFIRE.COM

THANKS FOR YOUR VISITS, FAVS AND COMMENTS. AS ALWAYS, APPRECIATED VERY MUCH!

© ALL RIGHTS RESERVED BY ELISE T. MARKS. PLEASE DO NOT USE THIS IMAGE ON WEBSITES, BLOGS OR ANY OTHER MEDIA WITHOUT MY EXPLICIT WRITTEN PERMISSION.

Disclaimer

My blog is meant to inform and I strive to be totally accurate. It is solely up to the reader to ensure proper plant identification. Some wild plants are poisonous or can have serious adverse health effects.