Rush skeletonweed produces small yellow flowers on the tips of the branches.

The enemy

Rush Skeletonweed (Chondrilla juncea L.). This perennial plant that has infested several million acres in Idaho and has spread into Oregon. It was originally found in the early 1980s as a 5-acre patch near Horseshoe Bend. Stem leaves are very small, inconspicuous and narrow, thus giving the plant the skeletal appearance.

Small yellow flowers are found scattered on the tips of the branches, and are approximately 1/2 inch in diameter. To me this plant resembles an alfalfa plant after grasshoppers have stripped all the leaves off. To tell the difference, look at the base of the stems: If the stem has small downward shooting red hairs on the lower 3 to 4 inches, it will be this noxious weed. One can also look for the milky latex that is produced if the stem is broken.

The dandelion-like seeds float in the air for miles and miles The plant is not foraged upon and invades very rapidly, which adds to its ability to destroy an ecosystem. We now find this new invader in many disturbed sites and roadsides. We find this weed mostly in and around Halfway as well as in the Hells Canyon Recreational Area. Due to its ability to float for over 70 miles in the wind it could be found anywhere, especially along roadsides.

The defense

Mechanical control is very difficult on this plant, due to deep roots.

I know of no animal or insect that can be utilized to graze on the plant.

Herbicides such as Milestone, Opensight, Tordon 22K, or Transline are most effective when used in the fall or early spring.

Hand harvesting the plants in the late summer (one must get most of the root) will keep the seeds from spreading, then in early fall treating the plants with the herbicide is the most effective method of control.

Contact your local County Weed Control Office for proper ID and best control methods.