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Salsola tragus - L.

Common Name Prickly Russian Thistle
Family Chenopodiaceae
USDA hardiness Coming soon
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Sandy shores, cultivated fields and waste places in Eastern N. America[43]. Often found in non-saline sands and as a ruderale in Europe[50].
Range Europe, Naturalized in Northern N. America.
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential Yes
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Well drained soil Moist Soil Full sun
Salsola tragus Prickly Russian Thistle


Salsola tragus Prickly Russian Thistle
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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Salsola tragus is a ANNUAL growing to 0.5 m (1ft 8in). The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs).
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline and saline soils.
It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Salsola australis. R.Br. Salsola kali ruthenica. (Iljin.)Soo. S. kali tenuifolia. Tausch.

Plant Habitats

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Shoots
Edible Uses:

Young leaves and stems - raw or cooked[105, 257]. The very young shoots are chopped up and eaten in salads, older shoots are cooked as greens or as a salty flavouring for other foods[257]. Seed - cooked. Roasted and used as food[257].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.


A poultice of the chewed plants has been applied to ant, bee and wasp stings[257]. An infusion of the plant ashes has been used both internally and as a wash in the treatment of smallpox and influenza[257].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it should succeed outdoors in many parts of this country. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Requires a very sunny position in a light or medium well-drained soil, it tolerates salty soils, occasional inundation by salt water and maritime exposure. Succeeds in poor soils and grows more vigorously on alkaline soils[206].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Fahrenheit:

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Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

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Plant Propagation

Seed - sow spring in situ. The seed has a short viability and should be stored cool over the winter[206].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Turkey, Russian Federation-Ciscaucasia (Ciscaucasia), Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Russian Federation (Dagestan), Russian Federation-Western Siberia (Western Siberia (south)), Russian Federation-Eastern Siberia (Eastern Siberia (south)), Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Mongolia, China (Heilongjiang Sheng, Hebei Sheng, Gansu Sheng (north), Jiangsu Sheng, Jilin Sheng, Liaoning Sheng, Shanxi Sheng, Shandong Sheng, Shaanxi Sheng, Qinghai Sheng, Nei Mongol Zizhiqu, Ningxia Huizi Zizhiqu, Xinjiang Uygur Zizhiqu, Xizang Zizhiqu) TROPICAL ASIA: India (Jammu and Kashmir), Nepal, Pakistan EUROPE: Finland (south), United Kingdom, Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Netherlands, Poland, Slovakia, Russian Federation-European part (European part (south)), Ukraine (incl. Krym), Albania, Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Greece (incl. Crete), Croatia, Italy (incl. Sardinia, Sicily), North Macedonia, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain (incl. Baleares), France (incl. Corsica), Portugal AFRICA: Spain (Canarias), Portugal (Azores), Algeria (north), Egypt (north), Libya (northeast), Morocco, Tunisia

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Salsola collinaTumbleweed. Slender Russian ThistleAnnual1.0 0-0  LMNDM110
Salsola kaliSaltwort, Russian thistleAnnual0.6 0-0  LMNDM323
Salsola komarovii Annual0.3 -  LMNDM10 
Salsola sodaBarilla Plant. Oppositeleaf Russian ThistleAnnual0.6 -  LMNDM101

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

L.

Botanical References

4350

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

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