Rush Skeletonweed
Chondrilla juncea • Class B |
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Family Name: | Asteraceae family (ass-ter-AY-see-ee) | |
Common: | Aster, daisy, or sunflower family | |
Genus: |
Chondrilla (kon-DREE-luh) Meaning: From the Greek, meaning endive or chicory |
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Species: |
juncea (JUN-kee-uh) Meaning:Rush-like |
Description: |
Rush Skeletonweed starts as a rosette in the fall, with leaves that resemble a dandelion and grows from 1 to 4 feet tall during the summer with 1 to 6 branching flowering stems. Its slender, taproot can reach down 8 feet or more. Stem bases have coarse, downward pointing brown hairs and very few leaves. Leaves are narrow and linear in shape. The dandelion-like rosette leaves die off during flowering, leaving a skeleton-like appearance to the plant. Flowers are bright yellow about 3/4 inch in diameter growing at the branch tips, or along the stem in the leaf axil. They are found individually, or in clusters of 2 to 5. The ridged petals have small teeth across their blunt ends. Seeds are pale brown to black, with a ribbed surface and white bristles on one end which makes them easily distributed by wind. |
Why Is it a Noxious Weed? |
This species is a threat to irrigated lands, wheat areas, rangelands. Infestations impact the cattle industry because it displaces native or beneficial forage species grazed by livestock and wildlife. The plants extensive root system makes it highly competitive to crop plants for moisture and nutrients, especially nitrogen. |
Where Does it Grow? |
It is found in pastures, rangeland, crop-fields, roadsides and open areas. |
Facts: |
A mature plant can produce 1,500 flower heads, with up to 20,000 seeds, 90% of which will germinate. Each seed has a pappus which is capable of carrying seeds up to 20 miles away. It can reduce crop yields by as much as 70 percent. |
Control Options: |
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More Information: |
Download our Flyer or visit Washington State Noxious Weed Control Board Here. Photo by Leo Michels
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More Pictures: |