Download Skeletonleaf Bursage - Campbell County, WY

Species Common Name: Skeletonleaf Bursage
Species Scientific Name: Ambrosia tomentosa
Description: Perennial species that usually grows low to the ground or prostrate along the ground. It can
reproduce from seeds or its large creeping root system. The single root system can produce multiple
stems forming dense infestations. Leaves have deep lobes (skeletonleaf) and toothed margins. The top of
the leaf is smooth and green, while the underside is covered in small white hairs. Yellow flowers, which
form in late July to early August, are very small and found on the top of the plant. The flowers develop
into small burs at maturity.
Control Options: In Campbell County this is primarily a weed of lawns and waste areas.
Mechanical: Pulling or hoeing small patches can help stop seed production, but will not have a great
effect on the entire plant, as it reproduces from its rhizomatous root system.
Chemical: Tordon 22K (Picloram) is the best herbicide for the job, but in a lawn situation 2,4-D would
probably be your answer, this product would probably have to be reapplied three to four times a year.
Cultural: This would most likely turning an area such as a garden into a lawn or fallow situation to more
aggressive implement control options
Integrated Weed Management: As stated in the cultural control section, an example would be fallowing a
garden, maybe chemically with RoundUp (glyphosate), then applying 2,4-D to any weeds the following
year, before returning it to a garden situation.
Other: This species is Wyoming only native designated noxious species.
Figure 1-Leaf
Figure 3-Seedling
Figure 2-Flowers