Centaurea nigra is a species of flowering plant in the daisy family known by the common names lesser knapweed, common knapweed and black knapweed.
It is native to Europe but it is known on other continents as an introduced species and often a noxious weed.
Although the plant is often unwanted by landowners because it is considered a weed by many, it provides a great deal of nectar for pollinators. It was rated in the top 5 for most nectar production (nectar per unit cover per year) in a UK plants survey conducted by the AgriLand project which is supported by the UK Insect Pollinators Initiative. It also placed second as a producer of nectar sugar per floral unit, among the meadow perennials, in another study in Britain.
There were certainly a good many bees around these flowers beside Rawcliffe Lake, York, a few days ago.
A lovely shot, we've had bees all over these near me this summer. I think they are very pretty. Great info Ian, and I'm not surprised they are in the top 5.
Beautiful colour and close up, strong details and focus
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Thank you all for your lovely comments and favs, they are very much appreciated.
It's fascinating looking at the ordainary everyday things that we take for granted.
Ian