Salsola tragus, often known by its synonym Kali tragus is a species of flowering plant in the family Amaranthaceae. It … See more

Linnaeus originally described the species as Salsola tragus; it is native to Eurasia, but in the 1870s, it appeared in South Dakota when flaxseed from Russia turned out to be contaminated with Salsola seeds. Although it is the bes… See more

Salsola tragus is an annual forb. In habit, the young plant is erect, but it grows into a rounded clump of branched, tangled stems, each one up to about a metre long. Depending on the plant's genetics and condition, t… See more

The plant becomes woody as the fruits develop. As they ripen, the plant begins to die, dries out and becomes brittle. In that state the base of the stem breaks off easily, particularly in a high wind. The plant then rolls readil… See more

The plant is considered edible when young, and the young shoots can be harvested and eaten. As the plant matures, it becomes too woody, bitter, and spiny to be considered edible. The young shoots can be eaten ra… See more

Salsola tragus is a ruderal annual forb. It germinates rapidly even in very small amounts of moisture in arid conditions. When young it may be grazed freely, but that phase lasts for only a brief period, and generally a… See more

Such considerations have led some workers to recommend that the plant be actively exploited for its very attractive merits. Frustratingly however, the plant in the wild is very variable; apart from its intrinsic ge… See more