Other common names
Tumbleweed; barbwire tumbleweed
Scientific name
Salsola tragus; also Salsola paulsenii (barbwire russian thistle)
Family
Chenopodiaceae
Description
Russian thistle grows into a bushy, prickly plant that breaks off at ground level and rolls with the wind when mature, spreading seeds. Barbwire Russian thistle has more spines.
Small, green or pinkish red, and not often noticed. They occur where leaves join the stems. Blooms in late summer to fall.
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Leaves
Mature leaves are short and stiff, with sharp spines at the leaf tip. Young leaves are soft, green, fleshy and lack spines.
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Stems
Striped with red or purple, sometimes green.
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Flowers
Small, green or pinkish red, and not often noticed. They occur where leaves join the stems. Blooms in late summer to fall.
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Roots
Taproot
Native to
Russian and Siberia; naturalized to the drier regions of the United States
Where it grows
Roadsides, vacant lots, lots that have been bladed and other disturbed areas
Life cycle
Annual Summer annual (sprouts in spring and summer)
Reproduction
Reproduces by seed.
Control methods
Whenever possible, control Russian thistle prior to seed formation. Removing native plant cover from a yard or building site is often followed by an infestation of Russian thistle. The dried plants are very flammable and increase the risk of wildfire. Avoiding soil disturbance and maintaining healthy plant cover are keys to decreasing infestations.
Dig, hoe or pull small patches. It’s easiest to pull them when the soil is moist. Mowing alone does not provide control.
Avoid disturbing the soil. Plant desirable vegetation that will compete with Russian thistle.
Cattle and sheep will graze young plants.
Apply broadleaf‐selective herbicides on very young plants. Post‐emergence herbicides are not effective on mature plants. Pre‐emergence herbicides can be used to manage existing seed banks
