Russian Thistle
Salsola kali
- Native to:
- Albania, Algeria, Azores, Baleares, Baltic States, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canary Is., Corse, Cyprus, Denmark, Egypt, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Kriti, Krym, Labrador, Lebanon-Syria, Libya, Madeira, Morocco, Netherlands, Norway, NW. Balkan Pen., Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sardegna, Sicilia, Spain, Sweden, Tunisia, Türkiye-in-Europe
Bjoertvedt
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Amaranthaceae
- Genus:
- Salsola
- Species:
- Salsola kali
- USDA Symbol:
- SAKA
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 90 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- jul,aug,sep,oct
- Bloom Colors:
- green, pink
Wildlife Benefits
- Caterpillars:
- ★★★☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
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)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Moths:Salt Marsh Moth (Estigmene acrea) Butterflies:Small White (Pieris rapae), Western Pygmy Blue (Brephidium exilis)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Salt Tolerant:
- Yes
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
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Germination Time:
- 3–14 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate readily without pretreatment; viability declines rapidly after one year.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI