Centaurea scabiosa Greater Knapweed

A very attractive, winter-green, calcicole knapweed which is found commonly in calcareous grassland along the south Gower coast. Native forms are comparatively short in stature. Some coastal populations which have entire leaves have been named Centaurea scabiosa var. succisifolia and can be quite puzzling when they are not in flower. Taller forms are frequently encountered in roadside verges outside Gower and probably originate from seed mixtures. Although it is widespread in suitable habitats in southern Britain, it has declined significantly in its native habitats in calcareous grasslands as a result of land use changes, ploughing and lack of appropriate management, relaxed grazing and abondonment. It is uncommon or absent from much of Wales where it has a strongly coastal distribution.

Native in Gower, mostly neophyte elsewhere in West Glamorgan