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

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
Photo of rush skeletonweed stem

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
Photo of rush skeletonweed

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
Photo of rush skeletonweed

Root

  • Deep taproot and shot creeping lateral roots
Photo of rush skeletonweed

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

Learn more about the author(s)

Heidi Kratsch
Heidi Kratsch
 

Also of Interest:

 
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Combatting Salinity: Evaluation of Tomato Rootstocks Under Mild and Severe Salt Stress
This Extension publication reports the results of University of Nevada, Reno Experiment Station research that tested six different commercial tomato rootstocks and one commercial tomato cultivar for salt tolerance under low, moderate and severe salinity levels.
 Bonarota, M.S., Barrios-Masias, F.H., & Singletary, L. 2021, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno FS-21-08
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Nevada Noxious Weed Field Guide – Saltcedar
Saltcedar 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