Herb: Prickly Russian Thistle


Latin name: Salsola kali ruthenica


Synonyms: Salsola australis, Salsola kali tenuifolia, Salsola pestifer


Family: Chenopodiaceae (Goosefoot Family)



Medicinal use of Prickly Russian Thistle:

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.

Description of the plant:



Plant:
Annual


Height:
50 cm
(1 foot)

Habitat of the herb:

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

Edible parts of Prickly Russian Thistle:

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.

Propagation of the herb:

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

Cultivation of Prickly Russian Thistle:

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

Known hazards of Salsola kali ruthenica:

None known

Plant information taken from the Plants For A Future.