Stem

  • Up to 2 ft. tall; highly branched and bushy
African Rue
African Rue

Leaves

  • Alternate, bright green and deeply divided; leaflets strap-like (linear), narrow, 0.75-2 in. long, fleshy, lack hair (glabrous) and have smooth edges (margins)
African rue African Rue 

 

Flower

  • 5 white petals surround a yellow center; 1 in. diameter; occur at leaf axils along stems
  • 5 strap-like, fleshy, green sepals (0.5 in. long) that resemble leaves that are found below flower
  • Seed pod is a small (less than 0.5 in. diameter), round capsule with 2-4 chambers; can be green orange or brown.
African rue flower
Close-up of African Rue flower

Root

  • Woody, branched taproot with short, creeping roots
African Rue
Adult plant

 

Other

  • Grows best in dry, disturbed sites; often infests roadsides, waste areas, washes and desert areas; known to occur in Churchill, Mineral, Washoe, and White Pine counties.
  • Perennial; reproduces by both seeds and roots
  • All plant parts poisonous to livestock and humans
 

Control

  • Repeatedly dig or pull individual plants; remaining roots can produce new plants
  • Apply glyphosate, imazapyr or metsulfuron to actively growing plants
Blecker, L., Creech, E., Dick, J., Gephart, S., Hefner, M., Kratsch, H., Moe, A., Schultz, B. 2020, Nevada Noxious Weed Field Guide – African rue, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, Field Guide

Extension Associated Contacts

Heidi Kratsch
Heidi Kratsch
 

Also of Interest:

 
Structural diversity, biosynthesis, and function of plant falcarin-type polyacetylenic lipids Santos, P., Busta, L., Yim, W. C., Cahoon, E., Kosma, D. 2022, Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol. 73, No. 9 pp. 2889–2904
yarrow
Groundcover Plants for Southern Nevada: Viable Alternatives to Turfgrass
Groundcover plants are essential for keeping southern Nevada cool. While many desert residents are removing turfgrass to reduce water use, they should consider replacing it with the attractive, drought tolerant alternatives discussed in this publication.
 McGue, L., Robinson, M.L., O'Callaghan, A.O. and Leas, L. 2021, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, FS-21-93
Photo of mayweed chamomile plant with white flower
Nevada Noxious Weed Field Guide – Mayweed chamomile
Mayweed chamomile is a noxious weed that has been identified by the state of Nevada to be harmful to agriculture, the general public, or the environment. Learn more about this weed.
 Blecker, L., Creech, E., Dick, J., Gephart, S., Hefner, M., Kratsch, H., Moe, A., Schultz, B. 2021, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, Field Guide
African rue flower
Nevada Noxious Weed Field Guide – African rue
African rue is a noxious weed that has been identified by the state of Nevada to be harmful to agriculture, the general public, or the environment. Learn more about this weed.
 Blecker, L., Creech, E., Dick, J., Gephart, S., Hefner, M., Kratsch, H., Moe, A., Schultz, B. 2020, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, Field Guide
Barbed goatgrass
Nevada Noxious Weed Field Guide – Barbed goatgrass
Barbed goatgrass is a noxious weed that has been identified by the state of Nevada to be harmful to agriculture, the general public, or the environment. Learn more about this weed.
 Blecker, L., Creech, E., Dick, J., Gephart, S., Hefner, M., Kratsch, H., Moe, A., Schultz, B. 2020, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, Field Guide
 

Associated Programs

Master Gardeners at tabling event

Master Gardeners of Nevada

Program trains local gardeners to provide research-based horticulture information to Nevadans

master gardeners in garden

Master Gardeners of Washoe County

Master Gardeners provide free, research-based horticulture information to Nevadans.

Master Gardener taking grape inspection notes on a clipboard

Research Center & Demonstration Orchard

Researching new varieties of fruit producing trees, vines and other plant materials in sustainable ways for the Mojave Desert climate.