Kochia is an introduced, erect, annual forb. The simple, alternately arranged leaves are linear to narrowly ovate to 2 inches (5.5 cm) long and can have hairs, depending on age. Leaves are very short petioled or sessile. Stems are green, red tinged, or red depending on age. The flowers are green leaf-like bracts. It has a spike.

Kochia scoparia is drought, salinity, and grasshopper tolerant and is able to grow in areas with very thin topsoil (Friesen et al., 2009). It is especially suited to arid to semi-arid regions (Friesen et al., 2009).

Forage kochia is an introduced, semi-evergreen, half-shrub. Plants are 0.3 to 1 m (1 to 3 ft) tall with a deep tap root and an extensive fibrous root system, and it may live up to 10 to15 years. Although it is commonly only medium-lived, it readily re-establishes from seed. Leaves are linear, 3 to 12 mm long (0.1 to 0.5 inches) and hairy.

Kochia is a drought-tolerant plant with a deep root, which tends to grow in very dry, disturbed sites. Kochia outcompetes crops such as potatoes, alfafa, and wheat and may be poisonous if consumed. It was introduced as a garden ornamental from Asia in the early 1900s and since has spread widely across the United States. Is it here yet? Yes.

Forage kochia is an introduced, semi-evergreen, half-shrub. Plants are 0.3 to 1 m (1 to 3 ft) tall with a deep tap root and an extensive fibrous root system, and it may live up to 10 to15 years. Although it is commonly only medium-lived, it readily re-establishes from seed. Leaves are linear, 3 to 12 mm long (0.1 to 0.5 inches) and hairy.

Jun 22, 2024 · Kochia seeds are dull brown, winged, and about 1/16 inch long. Seed are dispersed when the plant dries, breaks away at the base, and tumbles in the wind. Fivehook bassia (Bassia hyssopifolia) resembles kochia, but the seeds have five hooked appendages rather than wings.

Mature plants are highly branching, 1-6.5 ft (0.3-1.8 m) tall, pyramidal to round, and bushy, with a soft, airy texture. Plants look blue to gray-green during the season, turning red-green or red-purple in the fall. Stems are red tinged and more or less hairy.

Kochia, Kochia scoparia, is a non-native erect summer annual that has slender leaves (often with long hairs), small flowers, and five-lobed fruit. Kochia can be toxic to livestock when it makes up 50% or more of their diet. It is also known as fireweed, Mexican burningbush, morenita, poor man’s alfalfa, and summer cypress.

Growth Traits: ushy, upright, branching annual plant growing up to five feet tall and several feet in diameter. Deeply taprooted. Inconspicuous flowers. Plant may break away when dead and become a tumbleweed. Seedlings are frost tolerant. Leaves and Stems: Leaves are narrow to lance shaped, with smooth edges. Leaves are alternately arranged

Kochia (Kochia scoparia L.) and Russian thistle (Salsola tragus L.) are troublesome annual weeds of rangelands, pastures, fields, disturbed areas, gardens, roadsides, ditchbanks, and small acreages. Both species are non-native to the United States. Kochia, a native of Asia, was introduced from Europe.