What Is a Russian Thistle?
Better known as tumbleweed, Russian thistle is a weed found all over the western United States and around the world. Does this Spark an idea?
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Identification
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Young Russian thistle plants are green grass-like shoots. They have thorns and the stems have red and purple stripes. The shrubs can grow to be between one foot and six feet tall.
History
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The plant was first introduced to the United States in 1873 in South Dakota as a contaminant.
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Warning
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Though the young shoots can provide forage for cattle, the weed is also a nuisance, as the older shoots can kill livestock and often have to be cleaned up from roadways and waterways.
Considerations
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Though the Russian thistle saved the beef industry in the Dust Bowl era, it is an indicator of overused and unhealthy range land.
Fun Fact
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The tumbleweed image that most are familiar with is actually how the Russian thistle reproduces. It tumbles across fields, and as such spreads its seeds.
Geography
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Russian thistle is native to the Ural Mountains of Russia, and can also be found in many other countries such as Argentina, Australia, China, Egypt, Norway and South Africa.
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