October 18, 2019

Monster Tumbleweeds

2 minutes

Tumbleweeds have long been seen as symbols of America’s old west. Tumbleweeds are a structural part of the above-ground anatomy of a number of species of plants known as diaspores. Diaspores are essentially seed dispersal units. In a few seed plants, they comprise most or all of the plant. Once they are mature and dry, they detach from the roots and roll around due to the force of the wind.

There is a new species of gigantic tumbleweed – the Salsola ryanii –

that is expanding its territory in the American west. It is the result of a relatively unusual

genetic process known as polyploidy, which produces offspring with multiple

sets of chromosomes. Researchers believe

that that the new hybrid species of tumbleweed is healthier than earlier

versions. As a result, one geneticist

described Salsola ryanii as a nasty species replacing other nasty species of

tumbleweed in the US.

These tumbleweeds can grow up to 6 feet tall. Tumbleweeds in general are invasive plants that cause traffic accidents, damage agricultural operations, and cause millions of dollars in property damage. Last year, the town of Victorville in the California desert was buried in them, piling up to the second story of some houses.

Salsola ryanii has a relatively small range, but it is expanding

rapidly. The new study determined that

it is more vigorous than its predecessors, which are invasive in 48

states. The plant is an annual but tends

to grow on the later side of winter. It

is one of the only things that is still green in late summer. With summer rains increasing as the climate

changes, these monster tumbleweeds are poised to wreak havoc. The experts are warning that there should be

efforts to suppress them before they take over.

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Web Links

Monster tumbleweed: Invasive new species is here to stay

Photo, posted February 27, 2018, courtesy of Tracie Hall via Flickr.