tumbleweed

Any of various densely branched annual plants, such as Russian thistle and several species of amaranth, that break off from the roots at the end of the growing season and are rolled about by the wind.

A branching plant whose top assumes a globular figure and in autumn is detached and rolled over the plains by the wind, scattering its seed.

Any plant which habitually breaks away from its roots in the autumn, and is driven by the wind, as a light, rolling mass, over the fields and prairies; such as witch grass, wild indigo, Amarantus albus, etc.

Any plant which habitually breaks away from its roots in the autumn, and is driven by the wind, as a light, rolling mass, over the fields and prairies; as witch grass, wild indigo, Amaranthus albus, etc.

Describing unwanted silence and inactivity. Often used of a situation when one makes a statement that is ignored or ill-received from one’s audience. Gives the impression that a tumbleweed has passed through the room, as the resultant silence is likened to that of a desolate desert.

prickly bushy Eurasian plant; a troublesome weed in central and western United States

any plant that breaks away from its roots in autumn and is driven by the wind as a light rolling mass

bushy plant of western United States

bushy annual weed of central North America having greenish flowers and winged seeds