The
'tumble weed' is an intrusion
plant which thrives in bleak conditions. This traveling plant has a
great design because when its approximately 250,000 seeds are ready to produce
offspring, the plants dislodges from the ground. Then when the wind blows it
spreads its seeds along its path.
Originally from Southern Russia, the 'Tartar Thistle' was probably brought to
North America by Russion immigrants in the late 1870's.
The plant became an immediate pest and remains so today.
However, not all is bad about this survivor. It is said to put nutrients into
the soil.
It is often the first plant that grows over newly disturbed ground in Southern
Nevada.
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