Status: Exotic
Synonyms:
Salsola australis R. Brown
Salsola kali (Linnaeus) var. tenuifolia Moquin-Tandon
Salsola iberica (Sennen & Pau) Botschantzev ex Czerepanov
Salsola pestifer A. Nelson
Salsola tragus is the well-known and undesirable tumbleweed. It is spiny to the
touch and has inconspicous terminal and axillary flowers. It is widespread on roadsides
and in disturbed areas. It can be seen in large numbers in the fall piled up against
fencelines. The tumbling habit is presumably an adaptation to aid in seed dispersal.
Please click on an image for a larger file.
Salsola tragus, detail of end of stem, photo Russ Kleinman, Burro Mtns., US 180 near WD Ranch Road, Oct. 5, 2007
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