Chondrilla juncea

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Common name

Rush Skeletonweed

Scientific name

Chondrilla juncea L.

Conservation status and threats

NOT protected species in Bulgaria.

Description and identification

Chondrilla juncea is a biennial herbaceous plant, 30 to 130 cm tall. Leaves coarse-looking, multiple stems appear leafless due to inconspicuous leaves and arise from a basal rosette of sharply lobed leaves. The lower 4-6 in. (10.2-15.2 cm) of stem is covered with coarse brown hairs. Both stem and leaves produce a milky sap when broken. Flowers are small and yellow and develop in the mid-summer to fall. Mature, healthy plants can produce 1,500 flower heads and up to 20,000 seeds. Flowers bloom from July to September. Fruit is oblong, tapered at both ends, pale to dark brown, and 0.11-0.15 in. (3-4 mm) long^1.

Distribution in Bulgaria

Across the country from 0 to 1000 m alt².

Habitat

On dry stony places, on sands, along roads and others ³.

References

1 rush skeletonweed: Chondrilla juncea: Invasive Plant Atlas of The United States.

2 Делипавлов, Д., И. Чешмеджиев, М. Попова, Д. Терзийски, И. Ковачев. 2003. Определител на растенията в България. Аграрен университет. Пловдив.

3 Китанов, Б. & И. Пенев. 1963. Флора на Витоша. Изд. "Наука и изкуство". София.

Chondrilla juncea на български