SKELETONLEAF BURSAGE

(Ambrosia tomentosa Nutt.)

COMMON NAMES:

Burr ragweed, silverleaf

DESCRIPTION:

Skeletonleaf bursage is a perennial that can grow up to 3 feet tall. The leaves are alternate and can be up to 5 inches long and are very deeply lobed with coarsely toothed margins. The lobes are reduced in size from leaf base to the tip. The upper leaf surfaces are greenish gray and have rough hairs; the lower surface is white with short, dense hairs. Flower heads are ¼ inch wide and are produced from June through August. It has yellow flowers that are either male or female (not both). Fruits are 2 seeded, light brown burs with up to 10 short spines. The root system has an extensive horizontal root. This plant will produce by the seeds or by the creeping roots

KEY FEATURES OF SKELETONLEAF BURSAGE:

The staminate flowers are found in solitary, elongated, terminal clusters. The pistillate flowers form in fairs in leaf axils below. The fruit are light brown bur with conical spines and contains one or more achenes.

HABITAT:

Skeletonleaf bursage will grow in cultivated fields, pastures, prairies and waste areas.

CONTROL:

There are herbicides and other control methods that commonly control skeletonleaf bursage. For more information on these herbicides and other control methods contact the SCWP office.