Russian knapweed (Rhaponticum repens, previously referred to as Acroptilon repens) is a bushy rhizomatous, deep-rooted perennial. Spotted knapweed grows 12 to 60 inches tall, is more erect and has more limited branching than diffuse knapweed. Some of the seeds of Spotted Knapweed can pass through the digestive tracts of livestock and remain viable; thus, these animals may help to distribute the seeds. They usually graze them successfully the first day in pasture. Using more is dangerous to animals and humans alike. The toxic dose of green Russian knapweed is 1.8-2.6 kg/100 kg. This is where more is not better. It is not known how often stock and wildlife eat knapweed seed heads, but tests indicated that 11% of the seeds eaten by mule deer and 4% of the seeds eaten by sheep pass through their digestive systems, with a viability of up to 22%. Dead spotted knapweed stems generally remain erect during the winter unless crushed by heavy snow-pack. Mixing is important. Spotted & Diffuse Knapweed Species Centaurea biebersteinii & Centaurea diffusa. Spotted knapweed generates between 400 and 25,000 seeds per plant. Potential Effectiveness: Most of the literature indicates that livestock will not eat Russian knapweed because of its bitter taste. Mammalian herbivores normally shun this plant because of the bitter foliage; but they will eat it if little else is available, as occasionally occurs in overgrazed pastures. 2-4 D, Curtain Crossbow, Milestone and Feeder are a few brands. The affected animal cannot bite-off and chew its food in a coordinated manner. 3)This is complex question but one the major reasons invasives proliferate is a lack of competition from a variety of organisms that occurred in their native habitat. Another July has come and gone, but not all of the fireworks are over. body weight PER DAY eaten over a 28-35 day period. micranthos, is still going strong in rangelands and old fields and along highways and railroad grades across the country. Swallowing however, is unaffected. The plant is native to Eurasia but was introduced to North America in the late 19th century. 2) Not many animals will eat it although goats and sheep will eat it at certain stages of the knapweed's development. The striking pink display of spotted knapweed, Centaurea stoebe ssp. However, survey respondents indicated that under certain conditions sheep and goats will graze Russian knapweed, especially when the plants are young and after the animals have grazing experience. This could be other plants, animals, insects or diseases. Bushier weeds or plants with spines, like thistles, take a bit longer. They tried biological controls, too, with bugs that eat knapweed — also to no avail. 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