SKELETONLEAF BURSAGE - Ambrosia tomentosa Nutt

Asteraceae - (Sunflower family)

Skelleton Leaf Bursage , a native plant is considered noxious.  It grows about 1 ft tall, the leaves are bright green, somewhat hairy underneath, deeply lobed with each lobe being lobed as well, carrot like.  A light green central vein becomes the leaf stem.

This bushy perennial is spread mainly by numerous aggressive red roots that creep under ground sprouting an abundance of new plants.  Very hardy, tilling only serves to produce additional plants and the seed production increases the population even more.  The deep tap root can extend 2-3 ft down into the soil.

Bursage has male and female flowers.  The female flowers are inconspicuous, light green, and develop at the point where a leaf joins the stem, two seeds form in bur like capsules.  The yellowish male flowers grow at the end of a short stem. 
Skelleton Bursage is hardy and aggressive in growth habits, and not grazed by animals.

The following is courtesy of Weeds of the West:
An aggressive creeping perennial, 1 to 2 feet tall, covered with silver-gray pubescence, reproducing by seed borne in leaf axils, but principally by extensive rootstalks, forming large colonial populations. Leaves alternate, narrowed at the base to a distinct petiole, sometimes with several small lobes. Leaf blade ovate to lanceolate in outline, up to 3 inches long and 2 1/2 inches wide. Male and female flowers are found in separate locations on the plant. Male inflorescence is stalked and elongated or spike-like. Female flowers are found in clusters or singular in the axils of the upper leaves.

Woolyleaf bursage is a native plant found in the central and southern Great Plains region. In the past this plant has often been confused with skeletonleaf bursage (Ambrosia tomentosa (Nutt.) A. Nels), which has leaves that are more deeply lobed.
(Courtesy of Weeds of the West)

No identified infestations in Fremont County.