slender Russian thistle
(Salsola collina)
Overview
- Appearance
- Salsola collina is an erect annual forb. It is a round, bushy, much-branched plant growing 1-3.5 ft. (0.3-1.1 m) high.
- Foliage
- The branches are slender and soft when young, woody when mature. The leaves are alternate. The first ones start off being dark green, soft, slender, and 1-2.5 in. (2.5-6.4 cm) long.
- Flowers
- Flowers are small, green-white or pink in color.
- Fruits
- About 30 seeds are produced per seed head.
- Ecological Threat
- Salsola collina can threaten native plant ecosystems. This species can reduce yield and quality of numerous agricultural crops. She depletes soil moisture, interferes with tillage operations, and serves as a shelter or food source to many insects, vertebrate pests, and crop diseases. Salsola collina is native to eastern Europe and eastern Asia.
Selected Images
Maps
EDDMapS Distribution - This map is incomplete and is based only on current site and county level reports made by experts, herbaria, and literature. For more information, visit www.eddmaps.org
State List - This map identifies those states that list this species on their invasive species list or law. For more information, visit Invasive.org
Invasive Listing Sources
Taxonomic Rank
| Kingdom: Plantae |
| Phylum: Magnoliophyta |
| Class: Magnoliopsida |
| Subclass: Caryophyllidae |
| Order: Caryophyllales |
| Family: Chenopodiaceae |
| Genus: Salsola |
| Subject: Salsola collina Pallas |
Synonyms and Other Names
Other Common Names:
Russian thistle, slender Russian-thistle, spineless Russian thistle