Native to Russia
An annual shrub that grows up to 1.5 m tall
Varying genetics and site conditions cause stems and leaves to be either green, red or even striped

Russian Thislte
(Salsola kali)

Quick Identification

Mature plants grow up to 1.5 m tall and often just as wide
Thickly branched and bushy in appearance
Young leaves are dark green and fleshy, while mature ones turn short, spiny, and take on a reddish or purplish tint

Impact
As seeds mature, the plant dies off, leaving dry, woody stems that pose a fire risk. Russian Thistle will outcompete native species, and because of its spiny nature, will obstruct/limit access to areas such as stream channels.

Management
Young plants can be dug up, or stems can be carefully cut prior to flowering. Repetitive mowing can also help, but is not guaranteed. Herbicide treatments are also available.

Flower
Flowers form on the axil of the mature leaf and are either pink, white or green in color and do not have any petals.

Leaves & Stems
Leaves are alternate, hairless or with short hairs, thin and linear or needle-shaped, and bear sharp spines at the ends. Young leaves are succulent and will mature to become leathery and rigid. Stems are short, stiff, sometimes (rarely) smooth, with reddish-purple streaks. They become dry and rigid over time.

Roots
Has a long taproot root system. Mature plants often break off and become tumbleweeds.

Reproduction & Dispersal
Reproduces only by seed. As the plant matures, it dries and turns brittle, detaching at the base to form a tumbleweed that rolls with the wind, scattering seeds over long distances.

Seeds

Seed viability is generally short, with most seeds either germinating or decaying within the first year. Some plants produce up to 200,000 small, gray-brown, round seeds containing a coiled embryo.

Preferred Habitat
Prefers sandy soils and is most often found along beach edges, grasslands and in the desert, but will also show up in grasslands, along roadsides, and in coastal areas

Interesting Facts
This species often serves as a host for insects like the Beet leafhopper, which can transmit diseases to crops.

Native to Russia

An annual shrub that grows up to 1.5 m tall

Varying genetics and site conditions cause stems and leaves to be either green, red or even striped

Russian Thislte (Salsola kali)

Quick Identification

Mature plants grow up to 1.5 m tall and often just as wide

Thickly branched and bushy in appearance

Young leaves are dark green and fleshy, while mature ones turn short, spiny, and take on a reddish or purplish tint

Impact As seeds mature, the plant dies off, leaving dry, woody stems that pose a fire risk. Russian Thistle will outcompete native species, and because of its spiny nature, will obstruct/limit access to areas such as stream channels.

Management Young plants can be dug up, or stems can be carefully cut prior to flowering. Repetitive mowing can also help, but is not guaranteed. Herbicide treatments are also available.

Flower Flowers form on the axil of the mature leaf and are either pink, white or green in color and do not have any petals.

Roots Has a long taproot root system. Mature plants often break off and become tumbleweeds.

Reproduction & Dispersal Reproduces only by seed. As the plant matures, it dries and turns brittle, detaching at the base to form a tumbleweed that rolls with the wind, scattering seeds over long distances.

Seeds

Preferred Habitat Prefers sandy soils and is most often found along beach edges, grasslands and in the desert, but will also show up in grasslands, along roadsides, and in coastal areas

Interesting Facts This species often serves as a host for insects like the Beet leafhopper, which can transmit diseases to crops.

Russian Thislte
(Salsola kali)

Impact
As seeds mature, the plant dies off, leaving dry, woody stems that pose a fire risk. Russian Thistle will outcompete native species, and because of its spiny nature, will obstruct/limit access to areas such as stream channels.

Management
Young plants can be dug up, or stems can be carefully cut prior to flowering. Repetitive mowing can also help, but is not guaranteed. Herbicide treatments are also available.

Flower
Flowers form on the axil of the mature leaf and are either pink, white or green in color and do not have any petals.

Roots
Has a long taproot root system. Mature plants often break off and become tumbleweeds.

Reproduction & Dispersal
Reproduces only by seed. As the plant matures, it dries and turns brittle, detaching at the base to form a tumbleweed that rolls with the wind, scattering seeds over long distances.

Preferred Habitat
Prefers sandy soils and is most often found along beach edges, grasslands and in the desert, but will also show up in grasslands, along roadsides, and in coastal areas

Interesting Facts
This species often serves as a host for insects like the Beet leafhopper, which can transmit diseases to crops.