Meadow knapweed reproduces mostly by seed, but its root fragments can resprout after disturbance.

Underneath the flowerhead are distinctive light to dark-brown bracts with papery, fringed margins.

[2] Black knapweed was probably introduced to North America from ship ballast or as an ornamental.

Meadow knapweed prefers moist sites in full sunshine, infesting river banks, pipelines, roadsides, fields, and pastures.

[2] Meadow knapweed is considered an invasive species and noxious weed in some areas.

Meadow knapweed has the ability to out-compete grasses and other species used for livestock forage, and may take over native prairie and savannah ecosystems.

[5] The species is found widely on continental North America, as well as in South Africa and Australia.

[5] Meadow knapweed is considered a noxious weed in British Columbia, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington.

[6] The Invasive Species Compendium refers to meadow knapweed as Centaurea debeauxii.