rush skeletonweed USDA PLANTS Symbol: CHJU
U.S. Nativity: Exotic
Habit: Forbs/Herbs
Chondrilla juncea L.
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Taxonomic Rank: Magnoliopsida: Asterales: Asteraceae
Synonym(s): skeletonweed
Native Range: Not Found (BAIL);
Appearance
Chondrilla juncea is a perennial forb that can grow up to 4 ft. (1.2 m) tall.
Foliage
Coarse-looking, multiple stems appear leafless due to inconspicuous leaves and arise from a basal rosette of sharply lobed leaves. The lower 4-6 in. (10.2-15.2 cm) of stem is covered with coarse brown hairs. Both stem and leaves produce a milky sap when broken.
Flowers
Flowers are small and yellow and develop in the mid-summer to fall. Mature, healthy plants can produce 1,500 flower heads and up to 20,000 seeds. Flowers bloom from July to September.
Fruit
Fruit is oblong, tapered at both ends, pale to dark brown, and 0.11-0.15 in. (3-4 mm) long. Seed production continues from July into November.
Ecological Threat
Chondrilla juncea invades dry rangelands in the Western U. S., displaces native species, and reduces forage for livestock and wildlife. It is native to Europe, Asia, and Africa and was accidentally introduced to the U. S. as a contaminant of fodder in 1914.
Identification, Biology, Control and Management Resources
Selected Images from Invasive.orgView All Images at Invasive.org


Plant(s); in flower
Gary L. Piper, Washington State University, Bugwood.org
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Flower(s);
Steve Dewey, Utah State University, Bugwood.org
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Root(s); Roots
Utah State University , , Bugwood.org
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Plant(s); Rosette and old plant
Utah State University , , Bugwood.org
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Plant(s); Rosette
Utah State University , , Bugwood.org
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Plant(s);
Utah State University , , Bugwood.org
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Infestation;
Utah State University , , Bugwood.org
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Flower(s);
Steve Dewey, Utah State University, Bugwood.org
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Plant(s); Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. Illustrated flora of the northern states and Canada. Vol. 3: 314.
USDA NRCS PLANTS Database , USDA NRCS PLANTS Database, Bugwood.org
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Seed(s);
Steve Hurst, USDA NRCS PLANTS Database, Bugwood.org
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EDDMapS Distribution:
This map is incomplete and is based only on current site and county level reports made by experts and records obtained from USDA Plants Database. For more information, visit www.eddmaps.org 		 


State List
This map identifies those states that list this species on their invasive species list or law.
U.S. National Parks where reported invasive:
Grand Canyon National Park (Arizona)


Invasive Listing Sources:
California Invasive Plant Council
Jil M. Swearingen, Survey of invasive plants occurring on National Park Service lands, 2000-2007
John Randall, The Nature Conservancy, Survey of TNC Preserves, 1995.
Pacific Northwest Exotic Pest Plant Council, 1998
WeedUS - Database of Plants Invading Natural Areas in the United States