Prickly Russian Thistle
Salsola tragus

Family: Chenopodiaceae

What it is like

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.

Height (m): 0.5

Where it is found

Sandy shores, cultivated fields and waste places in Eastern N. America. Often found in non-saline sands and as a ruderale in Europe.

Europe, Naturalized in Northern N. America.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 2

Young leaves and stems - raw or cooked. 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. Seed - cooked. Roasted and used as food.

Medicine

Rating: 1

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

Other

Rating: 0

How it is grown

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.

Propagating it: Seed - sow spring in situ. The seed has a short viability and should be stored cool over the winter.

Best place to grow:

Habit: Annual

Hardiness: 0-0

Growth:

Soil: Light (sandy), medium

Shade: No shade

Moisture: Dry, moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

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