Russian thistle
Common Name: Russian Thistle
Other Names: Tumbleweed, Tumbling Thistle
Species Name: Salsola iberica
Plant Type: Broadleafs/Herbaceous
Family Name: Chenopodiaceae
Examples of Russian Thistle Salsola iberica
| Plant Facts | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Introduced, Europe |
| Duration | Annual |
| Season | Warm |
| Distribution in the U.S. | Throughout the Great Plains, but most frequent in the western portion of the region, especially where small grains are grown |
| Distribution in Oklahoma | Throughout the state |
ID Characteristics
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Field Identification Characteristics
- Leaves are alternate and thread-like, tips are spinose, upper leaves thickened at the base and enclosing the fruit, surfaces without hair to pubescent; sessile to clasping
- The stems are branched and usually red streaked
-
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
- Leaf Type: Sessile
- Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
- Leaf Shape: Long, cylindrical
- Stems: Erect, much-branched, usually red-streaked
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Floral Characteristics
- Petal Number: None
- Sepals: 5
- Flower color: Green
- Flower Timing: August-October
- Fruit Type: Ericle; pericarp freshly, obovoid, tip winged; seeds 1
- Inflorescence: Spike-like, auxiliary
- Seed: Black, round, smooth, shiny
| Habitat/Ecology | |
|---|---|
| Soil Type | Varying |
| Habitat | Cultivated dryland crops, abused rangeland, abandoned fields and waste areas |
| Successional Stage | Mid |