Cutleaf Vipergrass
Information
Scorzonera laciniata - Asteraceae Family - Biennial
Identification
- Flowers: Yellow dandelion-like flowers that unfold when the sun hits them and close within a few hours. Flower heads are about an inch in diameter.
- Seeds: Seed heads are 1-2 inches in diameter, made up of many parachute-like seed pods.
- Leaves: Basal leaves are up to 8 inches long and deeply cut. Stem leaves are smaller and taper at both ends.
- Flowering Time: Throughout the summer.
- Life cycle: Cutleaf vipergrass is biennial, growing up to 2 ft. tall.
Impacts
- Cutleaf vipergrass was originally planted for erosion control but spreads rapidly in disturbed areas such as old fields and along roadsides.
- Not much information exists on Cutleaf vipergrass and its impacts, but its rapid spread is worrisome when considering the impact of noxious weeds with similar aggressive growth and distribution on native ecosystems and wildlife forage.
Control
Most effective control methods
- Although it is reportedly sometimes grown as a crop, do NOT grow Cutleaf vipergrass.
- Due to a lack of information on the control of this plant, there are currently no recommendations backed by research regarding best management practices for Cutleaf vipergrass.
Large Images

Cutleaf vipergrass: flower

Cutleaf vipergrass: Closed flowers. Flowers unfold for a few hours when sunlight hits them.

Cutleaf vipergrass: seeds

Cutleaf vipergrass: flower

Cutleaf vipergrass: infestation

Cutleaf vipergrass: plant

Cutleaf vipergrass: plant

Cutleaf vipergrass: foliage and stems
Resources
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References
Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health. Cutleaf vipergrass. Retrieved from https://www.invasive.org/browse/subinfo.cfm?sub=30314
Schneider, A. Scorzonera laciniata. Retrieved from https://www.swcoloradowildflowers.com/Yellow-Enlarged-Photo-Pages/scorzonera-laciniata.htm
Swearingen, J., C. Bargeron. (2016). Cutleaf vipergrass. Invasive Plant Atlas of the United States. University of Georgia Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health. Retrieved from https://www.invasiveplantatlas.org/subject.html?sub=30314