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Rush skeletonweed Chondrilla juncea L. |
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Rush skeletonweed has not yet been found in Colorado. This perennial member of the Sunflower Family (Asteraceae) forms leafless stems that contain a sticky milky sap. The plants have distinctive downward facing hairs at the base of the plant. Flowers are 1/4 to 1/2 an inch wide. Seeds have a plume and can be distributed by wind. |
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This information courtesy of the Colorado Natural Areas Program Family: Asteraceae (Sunflower) Other Names: gum succory, devil’s-grass, naked weed, hog-bite USDA Code: CHJU Legal Status: Colorado Noxious Weed List A Not known in Colorado – Notify your county weed supervisor if you find this plant! Identification Lifecycle: Perennial Growth form: Forb Flower: Flower heads are produced along or at the ends of stems, either individually or in a group of two to three (Rees et al. 1996). Each flower head contains 10 to 12, strap-shaped, bright yellow florets that are flat across the end with distinct lobes or teeth (Rees et al. 1996). Seeds/Fruit: Seeds are pale brown to nearly black and have a white pappus. Leaves: Leaves form in a basal rosette, are sharply toothed, and wither as the flower stem develops. Rosette leaves are lance-shaped, deeply lobed, and 2-5 inches long. Stem leaves are inconspicuous, narrow and entire (Whitson et al. 1996). Stems: Mature plants are 1-4 feet tall. Lower stems have short, downwardly bent, coarse hairs. Upper stems are smooth. Roots: Deep extensive root system Seedling: Small pea-green cotyledons. Secondary leaves quickly emerge and form darker green rosette. Similar Species Exotics: There are three forms of rush skeletonweed in the United States, with the forms differing in inflorescence morphology and susceptibility to control measures (Sheley et al. 1999). Natives: Lygodesmia juncea (skeletonweed) has pink (occasionally white) flowers. Impacts Agricultural: Infestations of rush skeletonweed can reduce livestock and wildlife forage (Sheley et al. 1999). The extensive deep root system makes rush skeletonweed difficult to control (Whitson et al. 1996). The tall, wiry, latex-producing stems also hinder the operation of crop harvest machinery (Rees et al. 1996). However, rush skeletonweed can provide forage during a drought. Rosette leaves and pre-flowering stems are palatable and nutritious. Ecological: Rush skeleton weed can form dense monocultures that displace native plants, but rarely invades healthy native communities. Habitat and Distribution General requirements: Rush skeletonweed generally inhabits well-drained, light-textured soils. It is capable of growing in a wide range of conditions, but prefers areas that have cool winters, warm summers, with a predominance of winter and spring rainfall (Rees et al. 1996). This species grows in waste places and in overgrazed rangeland especially in the Pacific Northwest and in California. It rarely invades healthy rangeland (Sheley et al. 1999). Distribution: Not yet found in Colorado, but established in other western states. Historical: Native to southern Europe. Biology/Ecology Life cycle: Buds on the root crown or along lateral roots may give rise to new rosettes. Each rosette produces one or more stems, 20-60 inches long, with multiple spreading or ascending light–green branches (Rees et al. 1996). Flowering and seed production occurs from mid-July through frost. Flowers are self-fertile. There are three forms of rush skeletonweed in the United States, with the forms differing in inflorescence morphology and susceptibility to control measures (Sheley et al. 1999). Mode of reproduction: Rush skeletonweed can reproduce by both seed and through vegetative propagation. Seed production: A single multi-stemmed plant may produce as many as 15,000-20,000 seeds. Seed bank: No information available Dispersal: Seeds are readily dispersed by wind, water, animals or humans Integrated Management Summary Rush skeletonweed infests several million acres in the west and has become a serious problem in many areas. It is commonly found in grain crops, pastures, rangelands, disturbed areas, and along roadsides. It is not yet established in Colorado, so the most important control is to be on the lookout for it and prevent new infestations. If infestations are discovered, they should be controlled immediately, and all seed production prevented. Report occurrences of this plant immediately to the county weed supervisor. References
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