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RUSSIAN THISTLE

Class: Salsola kali subsp. ruthenica, kali var. tenuifolia
Family: GOOSEFOOT FAMILY
Sub Family: Chenopodiaceae
Year: Annual
Other Names: Tumbleweed, Wind Witch
Colour: Purple through pink
Height: 20 cm-1.2 m (8"-4')
Each Flower: Stemless, 7-9 mm (1/4-3/8") across with purplish to whitish papery sepals
Leaves: Lower leaves may be up to 5 cm (2") long, very narrow, thick, rubbery string-like, spine-tipped, becoming much smaller and more triangular bract-like towards ends of stems, making whole plant prickly
Stems: Many curving upwards from one root-stock forming large, rounded bush, becoming tumbleweed later in year; stems are round, pale green with purple stripes
Blooming Period: June - September
Habitat: Massed on gravelly waste ground and dry roadsides
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