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Colorado State University
<br /> Extension
<br /> Identification and Management of
<br /> Kochia and Russian Thistle
<br /> Fact Sheet No. 6.314 Natural Resources Series I Forestry
<br /> by S. Bokan, K. Crumbaker,and G.Beck*
<br /> Weed Description normally have red or purple striping.When Ql:llck Fc'�CtS ,
<br /> Kochia(Kochia scoparia L.)and Russian seedlings first emerge they look similar to
<br /> thistle(Salsola tragus L.)are troublesome grass seedlings.The leaves are alternate, Read and,cgmply._ ith
<br /> 'all
<br /> annual weeds of rangelands,pastures, small,narrow and appear scale-like with a herbicide labels,organic,or
<br /> fields,disturbed areas,gardens,roadsides, stiff spine.The flowers,accompanied by a nonorganie,forapplication
<br /> ditchbanks,and small acreages.Both species Pair of spiny,floral bracts,are green and very rates;,Mixing"instructions,
<br /> are non-native to the United States.Kochia,a inconspicuous.Russian thistle dries out and protective equipment,rd-entry
<br /> P
<br /> native of Asia,was introduced from Europe. becomes a tumbleweed,spreading seeds as it eriod;, razin9-
<br /> g -or harvest
<br /> P, , grazing
<br /> Russian thistle originated in Russia and rolls with the wind across landscapes.
<br /> restrictions acid'other safety
<br /> was brought to the U.S.in the late 1800's as information.
<br /> a contaminant of North Dakota flax seed. Livestock Poisonings
<br /> Kochia is found in all western states except Kochia and Russian thistle,
<br /> Alaska.Russian thistle is found in every Nitrate,oxalate,sulfates,saponins,and which are stamrner annuals,
<br /> alkaloids are found in kochia at levels that
<br /> state in the U.S.,except Alaska and Florida. are troubie'sbr4annuai
<br /> can cause poisoning sheep.Both plants reproduce only from seed; in cattle and sh weeds of rangelarids,
<br /> therefore preventing seed-set is important While it can be used as forage in some areas,
<br /> p g p pastures;fields;,disturbed,
<br /> for successful management Competition other forage species should also be available
<br /> g P areas,gardens,roadsides,
<br /> from desirable plant species will limit Russian to avoid the possibility of livestock poisoning.
<br /> P P ditchbanks;and small,
<br /> thistle and kochia establishment and site The likelihood of poisoning increases as the - ,-
<br /> plant matures or when drought stressed. acreages.If uricontroll'ed;they -
<br /> dominance. Russian thistle can accumulate toxic levels become tumbleweeds that
<br /> Kochia is a summer annual plant,with - -
<br /> many branches forming pyramidal or conical of nitrates which can cause acute respiratory cart disperse,seeds oVor d'
<br /> shaped bushes 6 ft tall or greater.Leaves are difficulty and sudden death in cattle and large area,
<br /> small,fuzzyand ra - reen in color.Leaves sheep.Russian thistle contains oxalates,
<br /> g Y g • Nitrate;oxalate;~sulfates,
<br /> on older plants are alternate,linear shaped which may result in kidney failure in cattle
<br /> P P sap6hjhs;:_aricl;'alkaloids:are-
<br /> and 0.5 to 2 in.longand often ha' The and sheep if ingested.
<br /> �' found,in kochia at-leveis that-
<br /> stems are highly branched and green or red
<br /> can cause:poisoning_in cattle
<br /> tinged.When the seedlings germinate in Uses and Values and TI�lthehhood.shgej3 , i
<br /> the spring,infestations appear to be a gray-
<br /> green mat.Kochia typically will germinate Kochia may provide good forage quality of poisoning;increases as"
<br /> when the plant is young,however,the forage the plant matures or when
<br /> many times during the growing season, quality declines as the plant matures.The � '
<br /> often beginning in March with last flushes q ty P droiigtrEstressed:
<br /> value to wildlife is shared by many species.
<br /> occurring from August to early September. Deer and pronghorn eat the foliage;seeds " Russian thistle can
<br /> Flowers are inconspicuous.Seeds are
<br /> are consumed by songbirds and upland accumulate toxic.levels of
<br /> dispersed when the plant matures and stems =
<br /> break off at the base;the plant then becomes game birds.Kochia also provides loafing and nitrafes'which can cause
<br /> a tumbleweed nesting cover for upland game birds. acute respiratory difficulty and
<br /> Russian thistle,a large,bushy,prickly Russian thistle is fair forage when the sudden"death in cattle and
<br /> Plant is young.When the plant matures,it
<br /> summer annual weed,can grow to 3 ft.tall. p= „
<br /> The stems are erect,many-branched and becomes unpalatable due to the spike-like
<br /> inflorescence.When mature,Russian thistle
<br /> provides excellent cover for pheasants,while olora Stete_ilniversity
<br /> -S.Bokan,Colorado State University Extension,small
<br /> acreage coordinator,K.Crumbaker,agent agriculture small mammals and songbirds will feed on Exferisioii #2J2_;;
<br /> and natural resources;G.Beck,Extensions specialist, the seeds and foli
<br /> age. -
<br /> � www ext:eolostate.edu•"
<br /> weed science,and professor;12112
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