Tumbleweeds: the fastest plant invasion in the USA's history
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Tumbleweeds are native to Europe and Central Asia, however, they were accidently introduced into North America in the 1870s © nyker/Shutterstock
Tumbleweeds are movie icons. We often see them rolling along in vast and desolate landscapes, acting as the supporting cast in scenes featuring Stetson-wearing cowboys.
While tumbleweeds may be no more than a prop in your favourite Western, they are the primary antagonist in the story of one of the fastest plant invasions in the history of the United States.
Tumbleweed, wind witch and Russian cactus are among the many common names for the Russian thistle (Salsola tragus) – though it isn't a thistle or a cactus at all and is instead part of the Amaranth family.
