Chondrilla juncea

Chondrilla juncea_rush skeletonweed_JM DiTomaso
Photo: Joseph DiTomaso

Common names: skeleton weed; devil's grass; hogbite; gum succory; naked weed

Chondrilla juncea (rush skeletonweed) is a perennial or biennial forb (family Asteraceae) and can be found scattered throughout California but is considered an uncommon weed. It can grow in disturbed soils of roadsides, croplands, especially irrigated grain fields, semi-arid pastures, rangelands, and residential properties. Plants are highly competitive for water and nutrients.

Cal-IPC Rating: Moderate?

CDFA Rating: -*?

Assessment(s)

Plant Assessment Form - Information gathered by Cal-IPC on the impacts, rate of spread, and distribution of invasive plants in California. Does not include management information.

Species ID Card

Invasive Species ID Card - To support field identification of early detection species, Cal-IPC has designed a set of Species ID cards that can be downloaded, printed double-sided, and trimmed to size.

Weed Management Notes

  • Management Notes - Information on management techniques and effectiveness from the University of California Cooperative Extension’s Weed Research & Information Center.

Cal-IPC Newsletter Articles

Cal-IPC Symposium Presentations

Presentations are linked where available. Where a presentation is not available, find more information by reading the abstract in the Cal-IPC Symposia Archive.

Other Chondrilla juncea Information

  • CalPhotos - Images of plants taken mostly in California.
  • Calflora - Distribution map and records of this species in California.
  • CalWeedMapper - Distribution map of this species in California with ability to determine regional priorities.
  • EDDMapS - Distribution of this species in North America.
  • Jepson Interchange - Information on this plant's taxonomy, biology, and distribution from UC Berkeley's Jepson Herbarium.
  • USDA PLANTS Database - Information on identification and distribution, with links to websites in individual states.
  • Additional photos

    Chondrilla juncea_flower heads_copyright_2015_NealKramer
    Chondrilla juncea (skeleton weed) flower heads. Photo: &#169 2015 Neal Kramer
    Chondrilla juncea_leaves and stem_copyright_2015_NealKramer
    Chondrilla juncea (skeleton weed) leaves and stem. Photo: &#169 2015 Neal Kramer
    Chondrilla juncea_stem base_copyright 2015_NealKramer_0000 0000 0215 0685
    Chondrilla juncea (skeleton weed) stem base. Photo: &#169 2015 Neal Kramer