Forest Health Technology Enterprise Team TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER Invasive Species FHTET–2009–03 September 2009 RUSH SKELETONWEED (CHONDRILLA JUN C EA ) MANAGE M ENT PLAN FO R THE WESTE R N UNITED STATES Rush Skeletonweed Task Force 2009 First Edition Rachel Winston, Mark Schwarzländer John Gaskin, Carl Crabtree, Editors This publication reports research involving pesticides. It does not contain rec- ommendations for their use, nor does it imply that the uses discussed here have been registered. All uses of pesticides must be registered by appropriate State and/or Federal agencies before they can be recommended. CAUTION: Pesticides can be injurious to humans, domestic animals, desirable plants, and fish or other wildlife--if they are not handled or applied properly. Use all pesticides selectively and carefully. Follow recommended practices for the disposal of surplus pesticides. The use of trade or firm names in this publication is for reader information and does not imply endorse- ment by the U. S. Department of Agriculture of any product or service. he Forest Health Technology Enterprise Team (FHTET) was created in 1995 Tby the Deputy Chief for State and Private Forestry, USDA Forest Service, to develop and deliver tech- nologies to protect and improve the health of American forests. This book was published by FHTET as part of the technology transfer series. http://www.fs.fed.us/foresthealth/technology/ For additional copies of this publication, contact: Mark Schwarzländer Richard Reardon University of Idaho Campus USDA Forest Service, FHTET Agriculture Science 237 Morgantown Moscow, Idaho West Virginia (208)-885-9319 (304) 285-1566 [email protected] [email protected] The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for commu- nication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at 202- 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 1400 independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call 202-720-5964 (voice and TDD). Federal Recycling Program Printed on recycled paper. RUSH SKELETONWEED (CHONDRILLA JUNCEA) MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR THE WESTERN UNITED STATES EDITORS: RA C hel Winston , MIA Consulting , Shelle Y , ID [email protected] Mark SC hwar Z L Ä nder , Center for Resear C H on IN V asi V E Spe C ies and Small Populations , Uni V ersit Y of Idaho , Mos C ow , ID [email protected] John Gaskin , United States Department of Agri C ulture Agri C ulture Resear C H Ser V I C E , Sidne Y , MT [email protected] Carl Cra B tree , Idaho Count Y Weed Control Grange V ille , ID [email protected] A report on B ehalf of the rush skeletonweed task for C E 2009 2009First First Edition Edition This management plan aims to provide a compendium of the most up-to-date information for the biology, ecology, and integrated management of the highly invasive rush skeleton- weed infesting natural areas throughout the western U.S. Management of this species is still in the early to mid-stages of development of a landscape approach to control the plant, both on public conservation and private lands. This report will be updated every five years to reflect changes in research progress and/or management strategies. Mention of trade or product names does not constitute a guarantee, warranty, or endorse the product by the Rush Skeletonweed Task Force or editors of this report. There is no expressed or implied warranty as to the fitness of any product discussed. Any product name discussed is listed solely for the benefit of the reader, and not all products may be listed. Cover photos and plan design: Rachel Winston, MIA Consulting; Chuck Benedict, FHTET. TA B le of Contents EX E C uti V E Summar Y ................................................................................................... 1 Introdu C tion ........................................................................................................... 3 Problem statement .....................................................................................................................4 Goal ..........................................................................................................................................5 Objectives ..................................................................................................................................5 Recommendations .....................................................................................................................5 TE C hni C al BA C kground ............................................................................................. 9 Biology ......................................................................................................................................9 Taxonomy and Classification ...............................................................................................9 Morphology .......................................................................................................................11 Similar Species ..................................................................................................................13 Growth and Reproduction .................................................................................................16 Distribution and Impacts ..........................................................................................................18 Native Range Distribution..................................................................................................18 Native Range Ecology .......................................................................................................18 Economic Uses ..................................................................................................................19 Distribution and Ecology in the United States ....................................................................20 Distribution and Ecology in Australia .................................................................................23 Distribution and Ecology in South America ........................................................................28 Worlwide Genotypic Variation of RSW ..............................................................................28 Impacts in the United States, Australia and South America .................................................29 Proposed and Enacted Laws (US) .............................................................................................31 Federal ..............................................................................................................................31 State ..................................................................................................................................31 Management Techniques ..........................................................................................................35 Inventory and Mapping .....................................................................................................37 Prevention .........................................................................................................................40 Physical Control ................................................................................................................41 Cultural Control .................................................................................................................43 Herbicidal Control .............................................................................................................45 Biological Control .............................................................................................................50 Rush Skeletonweed (Chondrilla Juncea ) Management Plan for the Western United States , 2009 I Integrated Resour C E Management - putting it all together ........................................ 63 Prevention................................................................................................................................63 Early Detection and Rapid Response to Eradicate Satellite Populations.....................................64 Control of Established Populations ...........................................................................................64 Agricultural Management ..................................................................................................65 Pastoral Management .........................................................................................................66 Roadside Management ......................................................................................................69 Rangeland Management ....................................................................................................70 Following Control ....................................................................................................................73 Coordination and Cooperation .................................................................................................74 Future Needs ...........................................................................................................................74 Case Studies