Russian-thistle |
|
| Caryophyllales > Chenopodiaceae > Salsola tragus L.
|
| 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). |
Identification, Biology, Control and Management Resources
|
Selected Images from Invasive.org
Click on each thumbnail to download the image at 1536x1024 resolution or below for available resolutions.
Use 768x512 for Microsoft PowerPoint and use 1536x1024 for Prints and Publications.
Seedling(s);
Utah State University Archive, Utah State University, Bugwood.org
768x512 / 1536x1024
|
Seedling(s);
Forest & Kim Starr, U.S. Geological Survey, Bugwood.org
768x512 / 1536x1024
|
Plant(s);
Mary Ellen (Mel) Harte, , Bugwood.org
768x512 / 1536x1024
|
Feature(s); Stem and foliage
Mary Ellen (Mel) Harte, , Bugwood.org
768x512 / 1536x1024
|
Feature(s); Spines
Mary Ellen (Mel) Harte, , Bugwood.org
768x512 / 1536x1024
|
Fruit(s); Fruits and seeds
Howard F. Schwartz, Colorado State University, Bugwood.org
768x512 / 1536x1024
|
Flower(s);
Forest & Kim Starr, U.S. Geological Survey, Bugwood.org
768x512 / 1536x1024
|
Flower(s); capsules
Forest & Kim Starr, U.S. Geological Survey, Bugwood.org
768x512 / 1536x1024
|
Seed(s); capsules
Forest & Kim Starr, U.S. Geological Survey, Bugwood.org
768x512 / 1536x1024
|
Seed(s); capsules
Forest & Kim Starr, U.S. Geological Survey, Bugwood.org
768x512 / 1536x1024
|
Plant(s); small plant
Forest & Kim Starr, U.S. Geological Survey, Bugwood.org
768x512 / 1536x1024
|
Infestation; infestation
Forest & Kim Starr, U.S. Geological Survey, Bugwood.org
768x512 / 1536x1024
|
Plant(s); habit with Puu o Kali in background
Forest & Kim Starr, U.S. Geological Survey, Bugwood.org
768x512 / 1536x1024
|
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
768x512
|
Feature(s); Pile-up of "tumbleweeds"
Mary Ellen (Mel) Harte, , Bugwood.org
768x512 / 1536x1024
|
Infestation;
Steve Dewey, Utah State University, Bugwood.org
768x512 / 1536x1024
|
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
768x512 / 1536x1024
|
Invasive Reference(s):
Check Invasive.org for most current lists.
- California - Noxious Weed Law
- California - Invasive Plant Inventory
- Ohio - Noxious Weed Law
- Texas - Invasive Plant List
- Invasive Plants: Guide to Identification and the Impacts and Control of Common North American Species
- Invasive Plants of the Upper Midwest
- Invasive Plant Atlas of the Mid-South
External Links
|
|
