Species Detail Forb

Flowers Willow Lake Tr - Sue Smith		Yavapai County Native & Naturalized Plants Salsola tragus - prickly Russian thistle Synonyms: Salsola iberica, Salsola kali, Salsola australis, Salsola pestifer, Salsola ruthenica Other Common Names: Russian thistle, tumbleweed Plant Form: Forb or Subshrub Family: Chenopodiaceae
Flowers Willow Lake Tr - Sue Smith


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Flowers Willow Lake Tr Sue Smith	Young plant - spring Willow Lake Tr Sue Smith	Plant - summer Willow Lake Tr Sue Smith

Forb Plant Description

Origin: Introduced Life Cycle: Annual
General Desc: Erect and profusely branched plant with solitary flowers in the leaf axils. Not a true thistle. Plants become tumble weeds at maturity.
Identification notes: Many-branched hairy reddish striped stems; young plants have succulent stems and leaves that harden with age; leaves alternate, without stems, thread-like, sharp-tipped; solitary pink and white flowers in leaf axils, no petals; small shiny black seeds.
Height: 1/2 to 4 feet

Habitat

Habitat Description: Widespread on disturbed ground.
Plant Communities: Disturbed Areas
Elevation: Below 8000 feet

Flower Characteristics

Color: Pink and white Shape: Regular in elongated clusters Tubular: N Flowering Period: May - Oct
Description: Flowers minute, and without petals, perfect (male and female flower parts), sepals pink and white. They grow in the axils of leaves in the upper branches.

Leaf and Stem Characteristics

Leaf Color: Grayish-green Leaf Type: Simple Leaf Shape: Narrow Leaf Margin: Smooth Leaf Attachment: Alternate Leaves Clasp: N
Hairs: Stems Spines: Y
Leaf Description: Early leaves are up to 2 inches long, string-like and soft. Later leaves are narrow and sharp-tipped.

Fruit and Seed Characteristics

Fruit Color: Pink or orange
Fruit Notes: 1-seeded (utricle), surrounded by the persistent, often winged sepals. Seed capsules look like pink or orange flowers.
Seed Notes: Tiny seeds are shiny black. Seeds spread as mature plants break off at ground level and are scattered by the wind as tumbleweeds. Rapid germination and seedling establishment occur after only brief and limited amounts of precipitation.


	Arizona Cooperative Extension Yavapai County 840 Rodeo Dr #C Prescott, AZ 86305 (928) 445-6590	Version 8.0 http://cales.arizona.edu/yavapaiplants/SpeciesDetailForb.php Last Updated: Dec 13, 2022 Content Questions/Comments: Email Matt Halldorson Legal Disclaimer