Rush skeleton weed

Rush skeleton weed is a perennial herb that grows up to 1.3 metres tall and produces thousands of seeds with fluffy white parachutes attached.

Description

• Leaves form a basal rosette at first followed by erect, branched stems that ooze milky latex when cut.

• Stems are almost leafless and wiry.

• Flowers are daisy like and yellow, appearing between December-March.

• Seeds are dispersed by birds and root fragments by animals, water, soil or vehicle movement and dumped vegetation.

• Habitats include disturbed sites, roadsides, dry riverbanks, cropland, pasture, and wetland.

What you need to know

Rush skeleton weed can invade over-grazed pastures, vineyards, and cereal crops.

Management approach

Rush skeleton weed is declared an unwanted organism by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) because it is capable of causing harm to the natural environment, physical resources or human health in Aotearoa/New Zealand.

These species pose a high risk to our environment, economy, recreation, and cultural values.

Rules

Any species declared a pest, including unwanted organisms, cannot be sold or be in a place where plants are being sold. Pest plants cannot be propagated, bred, or multiplied, communicated, released, or cause to be released, or otherwise spread.

Control

Do not attempt to undertake control of rush skeleton weed yourself. Report any sightings to us.