| Russian-thistle |
USDA PLANTS Symbol: SATR12 USDA ARS GRIN: 32817 ITIS: 520950 NAPIS: PBDAKBG Bayer code: SASKR |
| Salsola tragus L. | |
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Taxonomic Rank: Magnoliopsida: Caryophyllales: Chenopodiaceae |
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| Synonym(s): prickly Russian thistle | |
Russian thistle is an annual herb that can grow to 4 ft. (1.2 m) tall. It was introduced into the United States in the mid 1870s, possibly as a contaminant in flax seed. Leaves are alternate and narrow. Upper leaves have a sharp point at the apex and are 1.3-2 in. (3-5 cm) long. Flowering occurs from midsummer to fall, when small, pink to greenish flowers develop from the leaf axils. Each flower is subtended by 3, spine-tipped leaves. After the plant matures it detaches from the root system and tumbles in the wind, spreading seed (like another common name “tumbleweed” suggests). |
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Identification, Biology, Control and Management Resources
- Fire Effects Information System - USDA Forest Service
| Selected Images from Invasive.org | View All Images at Invasive.org |
 Seedling(s); Utah State University Archive, Utah State University, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Seedling(s); Forest & Kim Starr, U.S. Geological Survey, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Plant(s); Mary Ellen (Mel) Harte, , Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Feature(s); Stem and foliage Mary Ellen (Mel) Harte, , Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Feature(s); Spines Mary Ellen (Mel) Harte, , Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Fruit(s); Fruits and seeds Howard F. Schwartz, Colorado State University, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Flower(s); Forest & Kim Starr, U.S. Geological Survey, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Flower(s); capsules Forest & Kim Starr, U.S. Geological Survey, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Seed(s); capsules Forest & Kim Starr, U.S. Geological Survey, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Seed(s); capsules Forest & Kim Starr, U.S. Geological Survey, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Plant(s); small plant Forest & Kim Starr, U.S. Geological Survey, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Infestation; infestation Forest & Kim Starr, U.S. Geological Survey, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Plant(s); habit with Puu o Kali in background Forest & Kim Starr, U.S. Geological Survey, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Dispersal; After a plant matures it detaches from the root system and tumbles in the wind, spreading seed. Forest & Kim Starr, U.S. Geological Survey, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Feature(s); Pile-up of "tumbleweeds" Mary Ellen (Mel) Harte, , Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Infestation; Steve Dewey, Utah State University, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Diagram or Graphic; Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. Illustrated flora of the northern states and Canada. Vol. 2: 25. USDA PLANTS Database, USDA NRCS PLANTS Database, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
Taxonomic References:
- USDA, NRCS. 2001. The PLANTS Database, Version 3.1, National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70874-4490 USA.
Invasive Listing Sources:
- Faith Campbell, 1998
- Jil M. Swearingen, Survey of invasive plants occurring on National Park Service lands, 2000-2007
- Nonnative Invasive Species in Southern Forest and Grassland Ecosystems
- Pacific Northwest Exotic Pest Plant Council, 1998
- WeedUS - Database of Plants Invading Natural Areas in the United States
- California Invasive Plant Council
- California Noxious Weeds
- Ohio Noxious Weeds
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