Naked weed, Skeleton weed
Chondrilla juncea

Family: Asteraceae

What it is like

An erect and much branched herb. It grows up to 1 m high. It keeps growing from year to year or completes its life cycle over 2 years. It develops a long taproot. The leaves near the base are in a ring and are narrow and with lobes which point away from the end of the leaf. The leaves on the stem are scattered. They are narrow and entire. The flower heads are yellow and in the axils of leaves. They have very short stalks. They occur singly or in 2's or 3's. There are 9-15 flowers in a head. Side roots can produce shoots and plants can re-grow from taproots deep under the ground. The seeds have hairs which enables them to blow in the wind.

The Tasmanian occurrence is a little uncertain.

Where it is found

A temperate plant. It grows on dry open habitats and sandy and stony ground. It grows in warm temperate places. It can grow in arid places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Afghanistan, Africa, Albania, Algeria, Argentina, Armenia, Asia, Australia, Austria, Balkans, Belarus, Bosnia, Bulgaria, Caucasus, Central Asia, China, Croatia, Czech Republic, Egypt, Europe, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, India, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Italy, Kazakhstan, Libya, Luxembourg, Mediterranean, Middle East, North Africa, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Siberia, Sicily, Slovenia, South America, Spain, Switzerland, Syria, Tasmania, Turkey, Türkiye, Ukraine, Yugoslavia

How it is used for food

CAUTION: The seeds are poisonous. The young leaves are added to pastries and salads. They are eaten raw or cooked.

Edible parts

Leaves, stems, sap

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Ajenjera, Ajinjera, Ajonjera, Alijonjera, Balaguera, Baleo, Cengel sakizi, Cicoria, Citnik, Cutulidda, Gayeki benuste, Jattarulu, J'nstrodde, Karavuk, Like, Mastec, Sakizlik, Su porru, Talleras, Tavka, Zcevak

Synonyms

Chondrilla canescens; Chondrilla latifolia;