WHERE DID THE TUMBLEWEED COME FROM?

The tumbleweed, also known as the Russian Thistle, came to the prairies of the United States in the late 1870’s. It found its way here in grains and seeds imported from Russia. The Mennonites imported the tumbleweed in flax seed in 1877 to South Dakota. The tumbleweed first sprouted in Bon Homme County, South Dakota. Some people believe the Mennonites brought the tumbleweed deliberately, due to the discriminating way they had been treated. The eastern half of South Dakota was heavily infested by 1891, causing farmers to abandon their land. By 1895, the tumbleweed had reached New Mexico, along with 15 other states, and parts of Canada. The first tumbleweed found in California was in 1895 near the railroad tracks in Lancaster, Los Angeles County, California.
Another tumble weed was found when the Puritans brought mullein seed to Massachusetts in the early 1600’s. The mullein is an ancient weed, and plays an interesting role in history. When the pioneers started to head westward, the mullein did also. You can track the pioneers’ movements by the mullein and other immigrant weeds.
These are just 2 of the tumbleweeds that have made it to North America, but they seem to have played a more important role in our history.

SOUCES: http://www.wssa.net/photo&info/weedstoday_info/several9.htm, http://www.prairietumbleweedfarm.com/history.htm, http://www.killerplants.com/plants-that-changed-history/20020702.asp


Written and Researched By Karla Archuleta