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Kochia Scoparia

March 23, 2013 by · Comments Off on Kochia Scoparia 

Kochia Scoparia, Bassia scoparia (synonym Kochia scoparia) is an annual shrub native to Eurasia. It has introduced populations in many parts of North America, where it is found in grassland, prairie, and desert shrub ecosystems. Its vernacular names include burningbush, ragweed, summer cypress, fireball, belvedere and Mexican firebrush, Mexican fireweed.It may be planted in almost any climate zone in early spring.

Mexican Firebrush (B. S. trichophylla) is a cultivar of B. scoparia that turns bright red in the fall. They easily self-seed and can become a weed if not controlled.

The seed of Bassia scoparia is dispersed by wind, water, and especially by the whole plant detaching and tumbling in the wind (see Tumbleweed). The seed does not persist in the soil seed bank, but either germinates or dies within about a year.

Bassia scoparia is a C4 plant, specifically of the NADP-ME type.

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