Ability to Respond Total:11 / 25Ability to Respond = ( Ease of Response + Tools in Place )
Confidence:Medium
Confidence Notes:
Impact
Spread
Notes
Score
Spread Rate
This species prefers cultivated and disturbed soil. It is commonly found along roadsides but can also spread to roadside corridors with grass or trees. It can spread through hay. Seed can spread through wind or attachment to fur.
3
Spread Amount
This species spreads through root fragments and is likely expanding at a moderate pace by seed. Can invade many habitats (coastal scrub, valley and foothill grassland, cismontane woodland, lower montane coniferous forest) including agricultural land.
3
Damage
Notes
Score
Ecological
This species is a strong competitor for nitrogen and can significantly reduce soil nitrogen levels. It outcompetes other plants for nitrogen and other nutrients, and has been known to grow in dense monocultures in other western states, but not in California.
3
Agricultural
Rush Skeletonweed has been reported to cause a choking hazard to livestock in its adult stage and can clog and damage harvesting machinery. Can become a significant weed in vineyards and orchards.
2
Infrastructure
0
Cultural
Thick monocultures along trails could be a nuisance due to the plant's ability to abrade the skin.
1
Health
The plant has the ability to abrade the skin. Leaves and stems contain a sticky, caustic sap that can cause severe rashes and blistering.
1
Benefit
Notes
Score
Ecological
Nectar source for insects.
1
Agricultural
Although the plant can be palatable for livestock in the rosette and early bolting stages, the plant displaces native and desirable forage and can cause mechanical injury making it undesirable.
0
Infrastructure
0
Cultural
0
Health
0
Total
12
Ability to Respond
Ease of Response
Notes
Score
Detection
Mature flowering plants are easy to detect. Bolting plants have downward facing hairs at base of plant that can be helpful in identification. Rosettes can be more difficult to identify as they can look like many other composites.
4
Control
Both the means of dispersal and best treatment methods are known, but the plant is very difficult to remove and requires multiple treatments.
3
Tools in Place
Notes
Score
Entry
CCR 4500 Noxious weed list
1
Control
Skeleton weed had been previously listed as a CDFA B-listed weed until recently.
