Common Knapweed.
This plant has been used as a medicine for hundreds of years. The parts mainly used are the dried roots and seeds, processed into decoctions. Knapweed is used to treat a variety of ailments from snake bites to sore throat’s and lots more in between. it’s a native plant to the UK and is a treatment to bites from our only native venomous snake, the adder.
The flowers are edible and make a great edition to your salads. The flowers are also known to stimulate our appetite.
It’s similar in appearance to thistle but without the thorns. You will find it growing in all types of grassland.
Scientific name: Centaurea nigra
Happy foraging!!