Russian Thistle
Salsola kali
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Amaranthaceae
- Genus:
- Salsola
- Species:
- Salsola kali
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 3-4 ft
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- jun, jul, aug, sep, oct, nov
Native Range
United States: Alabama, California, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, Canada: New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Agrotis orthogonia, beet armyworm (Spodoptera exigua), Beet Webworm (Loxostege sticticalis), Bertha armyworm (Mamestra configurata), Black cutworm (Agrotis ipsilon), Chain-lined geometer moth (Cingilia catenaria), Deterred Dart (Euxoa detersa), Euxoa brevipennis, Euxoa catenula, Euxoa costata, Euxoa dargo, Euxoa laetificans, Euxoa ochrogaster, Euxoa pallipennis, Euxoa pleuritica, Euxoa tristicula, Genista Broom Moth (Uresiphita reversalis), nutmeg (Discestra trifolii), Virginia Tiger Moth (Spilosoma virginica), Western yellowstriped armyworm (Spodoptera praefica), White-lined sphinx moth (Hyles lineata), Western Pygmy Blue (Brephidium exilis)
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, saline, well-drained soil
- pH:
- 6.5 - 8.5 (neutral to slightly alkaline)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- commonly found in coastal and desert areas