Stem

Multiple, up to 4 ft. tall and highly branched; contains white, milky sap
Lacks hair (glabrous) except lower 4-6 in. which is covered with coarse, downward-pointing, reddish-brown hairs

Leaves

Rosette leaves resemble dandelion; 2-5 in. long, 0.5-2 in. wide and lack hair; edges (margins) are irregular with shallow lobes and are often purplish; rosette leaves usually wither at bolting
Stems have very few leaves; typically narrow with smooth edges; inconspicuous

Flower

Yellow; 0.75 in. wide; 7-15 linear petals with toothed tips; can be alone or in small clusters scattered along branches
Seed tipped with a white, parachute-like pappus that allows it to be spread by wind

Root

Deep taproot and shot creeping lateral roots

Other

Grows best in well-drained soils; often infests roadsides, rangelands and waste areas; not known to occur in Nevada
Perennial; reproduced by seed and roots

Control

Repeated hand-removal of individual plants (including roots) and frequent tillage are effective
Several biological control agents are available
Apply 2,4-D, clopyralid, dicamba, glyphosate, or picloram to actively growing plants; apply aminopyralid or imazapyr pre- or post emergence

Blecker, L., Creech, E., Dick, J., Gephart, S., Hefner, M., Kratsch, H., Moe, A., Schultz, B. 2020, Rush skeletonweed, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, Field Guide

Learn more about the author(s)

Heidi Kratsch

Also of Interest:

Rush skeletonweed

Stem

Multiple, up to 4 ft. tall and highly branched; contains white, milky sap
Lacks hair (glabrous) except lower 4-6 in. which is covered with coarse, downward-pointing, reddish-brown hairs

Leaves

Rosette leaves resemble dandelion; 2-5 in. long, 0.5-2 in. wide and lack hair; edges (margins) are irregular with shallow lobes and are often purplish; rosette leaves usually wither at bolting
Stems have very few leaves; typically narrow with smooth edges; inconspicuous

Flower

Yellow; 0.75 in. wide; 7-15 linear petals with toothed tips; can be alone or in small clusters scattered along branches
Seed tipped with a white, parachute-like pappus that allows it to be spread by wind

Root

Deep taproot and shot creeping lateral roots

Other

Grows best in well-drained soils; often infests roadsides, rangelands and waste areas; not known to occur in Nevada
Perennial; reproduced by seed and roots

Control

Repeated hand-removal of individual plants (including roots) and frequent tillage are effective
Several biological control agents are available
Apply 2,4-D, clopyralid, dicamba, glyphosate, or picloram to actively growing plants; apply aminopyralid or imazapyr pre- or post emergence

Published by: Blecker, L., Creech, E., Dick, J., Gephart, S., Hefner, M., Kratsch, H., Moe, A., Schultz, B., 2020, Rush skeletonweed, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, Field Guide