Chondrilla juncea

Illustrator: Bee F. Gunn

Copyright: Flora of North America Association

Stems with retrorse, coarse, bristly hairs on basal 10–15 cm, distally glabrous. Leaves: basal withered before flowering, blades 5–13 × 1.5–3 cm. Involucres 9–12 mm. Phyllaries tomentose. Cypselae: bodies 3–4 mm, beaks 5–6 mm, ribs with antrorse tubercles distally; pappi 5–6 mm. 2n = 15.

Phenology: Flowering Jul–Oct.
Habitat: Roadsides, rangelands, grain fields, waste places and other disturbed ground
Elevation: 0–600 m

Distribution

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B.C., Ont., Calif., Del., D.C., Ga., Idaho, Ill., Md., Mich., Mont., N.J., Oreg., Pa., Va., Wash., W.Va., Eurasia, Africa, Australia.

Discussion

Chondrilla juncea is native to the Mediterranean region of Europe, North Africa, and Asia Minor. It is a weed in North America (not listed as noxious at the federal level). Its deep and extensive root system competes strongly for soil moisture and nutrients and makes control difficult because it helps the plants survive drought, cultivation, grazing, and most selective herbicides. The large, stiff branches and stems interfere with harvesting. The species is said to be “the most serious weed of Australian wheat-growing regions” (F. D. Panetta and J. Dodd 1987). It also infests millions of acres in California, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington.

Chondrilla juncea is an obligate apomict; its seeds are formed by a parthenogenetic process (E. Battaglia 1949). Nevertheless, the species is highly variable in morphology and biochemical traits.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.