State Noxious Weed List -Yes

Growth form: Long-lived, deep-rooted perennial. Primarily spreads by root which is dark brown to black in color and scaley as if the plant had been burned. Roots often grow to depths greater than 20 feet. The leaves are alternate, lobed lower on the plant, while upper leaves are entire.

Flowers vary from light pink to lavender and have rounded bracts with transparent tips. The plant grows to 2 to 3 feet tall and is shrub like with spreading branches. The stems die back to the soil surface each year.

Russian knapweed is often found in poorly drained and saline/alkaline soils with supplemental water sources such as rivers and streams. This persistant weed is generally found in south-western North Dakota, but increasingly infestations have been found state-wide.

Seed production is much more limited than in other knapweed species, but roots are difficult to eradicate.