Prickly Russian Thistle
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Prickly Russian Thistle
Salsola tragus
The Prickly Russian Thistle is a spiky plant that can grow very tall! It has sharp leaves and can roll around in the wind, making it look like it's dancing in the fields.
Habitat: Grasslands
Appearance
The Prickly Russian Thistle has a bushy, rounded form with numerous branched stems densely covered in sharp, needle-like leaves, ranging from bright green to reddish-purple. Its tiny, inconspicuous flowers are nestled in the leaf axils. When mature, it dries into a distinctive tan, spherical tumbleweed.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderCaryophyllalesFamilyAmaranthaceaeGenusSalsola
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
2/5 · Low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
A single Prickly Russian Thistle can produce up to 250,000 tiny seeds! Wow!
Dried Russian Thistle tumbleweeds can pile up against fences, becoming fire hazards! Wow!
Its rolling tumbleweed form can travel over 100 miles, spreading its seeds far! Wow!
This plant was accidentally brought to the US inside flax seeds in the 1870s! Wow!
Special abilities
Ability
Tumbleweed Traveler
Prickly Russian Thistle can break off at its base and roll in the wind, scattering its seeds far and wide across new territories.
Ability
Salt Survivor
Prickly Russian Thistle has a high tolerance for salty soils, allowing it to thrive where many other plants cannot survive.
Ability
Rapid Rival
Prickly Russian Thistle can grow incredibly fast, quickly outcompeting other plants for sunlight and water in disturbed areas.
Ability
Spiny Shield
Prickly Russian Thistle has sharp, rigid spines that protect it from most hungry herbivores, deterring them from taking a bite.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 30-150 cm
- Spread
- 30-150 cm
- Flower Size
- 0.2-0.5 cm
- Bloom Season
- Summer to fall
- Edible
- Yes
- Toxicity
- None
- Lifecycle
- Annual
- Pollination Method
- Wind
Ecological connections
eaten by
Cattle
Bos taurus
Young plants provide emergency forage for livestock.
eaten by
Sheep
Ovis aries
Sheep graze on the less spiny shoots, especially in dry periods.
eaten by
Pallid-winged Grasshopper
Trimerotropis pallidipennis
Grasshopper nymphs feed on the leaves and stems.
parasitizes
Russian Thistle Rust
Uromyces salsolae
This fungus infects the leaves and stems, weakening the plant.
Traits
Flowering
Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.
Shrub
A shrub is a woody plant smaller than a tree, typically with multiple stems branching from or near the ground.
Thorny Stem
Pertaining to plants that have stems covered with sharp, pointed projections for defense.
Drought Tolerant
Drought-tolerant plants can survive and flourish in conditions with limited water availability.
Grassland
Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals.
Rapid Growing
Rapid growing plants exhibit accelerated growth rates, quickly increasing in size and biomass within a short period.
Spiky/Thorny
Possessing sharp, pointed projections or spines on the body or surface.
Invasive
Invasive species are non-native organisms that cause harm to the environment, economy, or human health.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
2/5 · Low
Be careful around this plant because its spikes can poke you.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Prickly Russian Thistle?
30-150 cm
How wide does Prickly Russian Thistle spread?
30-150 cm
How big are the flowers on Prickly Russian Thistle?
0.2-0.5 cm
When does Prickly Russian Thistle bloom?
Summer to fall
Is Prickly Russian Thistle edible?
Yes
Is Prickly Russian Thistle toxic?
None
What is Prickly Russian Thistle's lifecycle?
Annual
How is Prickly Russian Thistle pollinated?
Wind
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