Weed ID

RUSH SKELETONWEED

Asteraceae or Sunflower Family
Chondrilla juncea

GROWTH HABIT: Herbaceous, relatively long-lived perennial, 1 to 4 feet tall.

LEAVES: Sharp, deeply toothed, basal leaves of the rosette closely resemble a common dandelion rosette.

STEMS: Green stems have occasional narrow leaves that are inconspicuous, giving the plant a skeleton appearance. A distinguishing characteristic of rush skeletonweed is the downwardly bent, reddish, coarse hairs on the lower 4 to 6 inches of the stem. The remainder of the stem is relatively hair-free and smooth.

FLOWERS: Yellow flower heads, approximately 3/4-inch in diameter, are scattered on the stems and branch tips. Flower heads may appear singly or in clusters of two to five.

ROOTS: Taproots can reach depths of 8 feet. When the roots are severed, they produce shoots that can reach the soil surface from depths of 4 feet.

SEEDS: Each plant can potentially produce 20,000 seeds. Seeds are light brown to black, ribbed and have white bristles at one end that id in wind dispersal.

REPRODUCES: By seed and vegetative shoots.

HABITAT: Disturbed areas such as roadways, waste areas, and areas weakened by drought or improper grazing.

"Look for the downwardly pointed hairs at the base of this weed"