Rush Skeletonweed

Chondrilla juncea

Family: Asteraceae

Description and Life Cycle

A tap-rooted herbaceous perennial, spreading by rhizomatous lateral roots and prolific seed production. Plants range from 0.3-1.3 m in height at maturity.
Rosettes develop from root buds in fall; rosette leaves are lance shaped, deeply lobed 1-3 cm wide and 5-12 cm long. Leaves develop a reddish tinge near the tips during the winter. Multi-branched, erect stems grow from the root crown in the spring. Stems are pale green, slender, sparsely leafed, and smooth except for erect, downward-pointing hairs on the lower 5-10 cm. Flower heads develop along or at the ends of stems, individually or in groups of two tofive. Each flower head may contain 10-12 bright yellow flowers. Flowering occurs from mid-summer until the first frosts. Stems die back each year.

British Columbia Biological Control Agents

• Bradyrrhoa gilveolella - moth
• Eriophyes chondrillae - Gall mite
• Puccinia chondrillina - Stem and leaf rust
  

References

Cranston, R., D. Ralph and B. Wikeem. 2005. Field guide to noxious and other selected weeds of British Columbia. Gov. of BC. 94 p.

Powell, G. W., A. Sturko, B. Wikeem and P. Harris. 1994. Field guide to the biological control of weeds in British Columbia. B.C. Min. For. Res. Prog.