Australian tumbleweed

Family: Amaranthaceae
Scientific name: Salsola australis
Description: Plant Form: Annual or biennial herb. Size: Up to 1 m tall. Stem: Succulent, leaf joints on stem continue down stems to form pseudo-wings. Leaves: Alternating up the stem, cylindrical, up to 3 cm long with a sharp pointed end. Flower leaves sometimes broader at base. Flowers: Solitary at leaf base or sometimes in condensed spikes at the end of branches. Fruit and Seeds: Pale green or straw coloured, hairless, with a horizontal wing giving fan-like appearance. Habitat: This native plant inhabits a wide variety of habitats but particularly arid inland areas, or sandy coastal areas. It is considered a weed of agriculture. Distinguishing Features: Differs from non-native Tumbleweed (Amaranthus albus) in having narrow and succulent leaves and fruit with wings that do not break into segments. Weed Status: Other Weed Weed Type: Agricultural, Non-weedy Native Lookalike Lifeform: Herbaceous

Example images for this weed