Kochia, Bassia scoparia, Plant Guide - Plant Materials Program

KOCHIA 

Bassia scoparia (L.) A.J. Scott 

Plant Symbol = BASC5 

Contributed by: USDA NRCS Kansas Plant Materials 

Center, Manhattan, Kansas 

Plant Guide 

al., 2003). The large quantity of high protein seed makes 

kochia valuable for poultry feed (Friesen et al., 2009). 

Kochia is also eaten by deer and pronghorn (Stubbendieck 

et al., 2003). 

Erosion Control and Bioremediation: Kochia can be used 

for control of soil erosion. Undersander et al. (1990) 

indicated that it is able to survive in a variety of harsh soil 

conditions, including sandy and alkaline soils. 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). It has the ability to 

germinate and grow at anytime during the growing season 

and will provide quick groundcover to protect the topsoil. 

For large inaccessible areas it can be sown using 

airplanes, making it ideal for revegetation after a fire. 

Kochia has been shown to bioaccumulate cesium-137 

(Lasat et al., 1997) and may be able to be used for 

remediation of hydrocarbon contaminated soil (Robson et 

al., 2004). 

Figure 1. P. Allen Casey. 2009. USDA-NRCS. Kochia that exhibits red 

colored stems. Found on a disturbed site along a gravel road. Riley 

County, Kansas 

Alternate Names 

Bassia sieversiana; Kochia alata; Kochia trichophila; 

Kochia trichophylla; burningbush; Mexican fireweed; 

mock cypress; fireweed; mirabel; summer cypress; 

common kochia; Mexican summer-cypress; railroad 

weed; belvedere; firebush; poor man’s alfalfa; common 

red sage 

Caution: This plant is highly invasive. 

Caution: This plant can be toxic. 

Uses 

Wildlife and Livestock: During early stages of growth, 

Kochia scoparia is palatable and has high forage value for 

all classes of livestock and can be hayed or grazed 

(Everitt et al., 1983; Stubbendieck et al., 2003). 

Kochia provides cover and the seeds are used as food by 

both songbirds and upland game birds (Stubbendieck et 

Ethnobotanic: Kochia scoparia has been used in Chinese 

and Korean folk medicine as treatment for skin diseases, 

diabetes, mellitus, rheumatoid arthritis, liver disorders, 

and jaundice (Kim et al., 2005; Choi et al., 2002). In 

Japan and China the fresh fruit is used as a food garnish 

on some dishes (Yoshikawa et al., 1997) and the seeds are 

ground into flour (Usher, 1974). In China, Russia, 

Bulgaria, Macedonia, Romania, and Italy kochia is 

planted for making brooms (Zimdahal, 1989; Shu, 2003; 

Nedelcheva et al., 2007; Friesen et al., 2009). 

Kochia seeds contain an oviposition pheromone that can 

be added as an attractant for mosquito pesticides (Friesen 

et al., 2009; Whitney et al., 2004). The seeds of kochia 

have also been shown to contain other chemicals that 

could have beneficial human uses, such as compounds 

that could be use to treat ulcers, rheumatoid arthritis, and 

some human pathogenic bacteria (Friesen et al., 2009; 

Goyal and Gupta, 1988; Borrelli and Izzo, 2000). 

Kochia scoparia is grown as an ornamental due to its 

dense and conical shape as well as its bright red color in 

the fall (Undersander et al., 1990). 

Status 

This plant is or can be noxious and/or invasive in some 

areas. Please consult the PLANTS Web site and your 

State Department of Natural Resources for this plant’s 

current status (e.g., threatened or endangered species, 

state noxious status, and wetland indicator values).

Weediness 

This plant may become weedy or invasive in some 

regions or habitats and may displace desirable vegetation 

if not properly managed. Please consult with your local 

NRCS Field Office, Cooperative Extension Service 

office, state natural resource, or state agriculture 

department regarding its status and use. Weed 

information is also available from the PLANTS Web site 

at plants.usda.gov. Please consult the Related Web Sites 

on the Plant Profile for this species for further 

information. 

When kochia matures it breaks off at the base of the plant 

and becomes a tumbleweed which helps disperse the seed. 

Forcella (1985) concluded that due to this tumbleweed 

mode of dispersal, kochia had the highest rate of spread 

among alien weed species in the western United States 

from 1880 and 1980. 

Description 

General: Goosefoot Family (Chenopodiaceae). Kochia is 

an introduced, erect, annual forb with a taproot that forms 

pyramidal or rounded bushes up to 7 feet (2.1 m) tall. 

Phillips and Launchbaugh (1958) reported that the roots 

of Kochia scoparia can reach a depth of at least 8 feet 

(2.4 m) and have a horizontal radius of at least 8 feet (2.4 

m) which would allow the plant to draw water from a 

cylindrical soil mass 16 feet (4.9 m) in diameter and 8 feet 

(2.4 m) or more deep. 

The leaves have alternate arrangement and are simple, 

linear to narrowly ovate to 5.5 cm long and can have 

hairs, depending on age. Leaves are very short petioled or 

sessile. The leaves have 1-5 prominent veins with entire 

margins fringed with hairs. Stem is green, red tinged, or 

red depending on age (Friesen et al., 2009). The flowers 

are green leaf-like bracts and surrounded by tufts of hair 

(Stubbendieck et al., 2003). The inflorescence is a spike 

and is axillary and terminal. Flowers are either perfect 

with 3-5 stamens or pistillate with both types having two 

stigmas (Friesen et al., 2009). Kochia has utricle fruits 

with an oval, brown to black seed (Stubbendieck et al., 

2003). Kochia varies widely in morphological characters 

partially due the environment where it is found (Friesen et 

al., 2009). 

Distribution: 

Kochia is common throughout the western and northern 

United States (Friesen et al., 2009). It is also found 

throughout much of Canada, especially in the arid and 

semi-arid grasslands (Friesen et al., 2009). Kochia is also 

found throughout Europe, Africa, and South America, as 

well as parts of, Asia (Friesen et al., 2009). Although 

once present in Australia it has now been eradicated 

(Natural Resource Management Ministerial Council, 

2006). 

For current distribution, please consult the Plant Profile 

page for this species on the PLANTS Web site. 

Habitat: 

Kochia is common in rangelands, pastures, fields, 

disturbed sites, gardens, roadsides, and ditchbanks 

(Stubbendieck et al., 2003; Whitson et al., 1991). It can 

be found in areas with as little as 6 inches (15.24 cm) of 

annual rainfall (Undersander et al., 1990). 

Adaptation 

Kochia is native to central and eastern Europe and Asia 

(Whitson et al., 1991) and was likely introduced as an 

ornamental in the mid- to late 1800’s (Friesen et al., 

2009). Kochia scoparia can be found in a very wide 

range of temperatures and climatic regions throughout the 

world, but is particularly adapted to arid and semi-arid 

regions, such as the Canadian prairies and the Great 

Plains region of the United States (Friesen et al., 2009). 

Kochia exhibits early germination that makes it capable of 

utilizing limited spring soil moisture in arid to semi-arid 

regions (Eberlein and Fore, 1984). Germination of seeds 

can occur multiple times throughout the growing season 

(Friesen et al., 2009), enabling it to take advantage of 

moisture when it is available. Seeds are able to germinate 

under high stress conditions, such as lack of moisture, 

high salinity, or extremes in pH (Friesen et al., 2009). 

Kochia is a facultative alkali halophyte and is tolerant of 

thin or high salinity soils or acidic soils due to the 

presence of aluminum or manganese (Friesen et al., 2009; 

Bilski and Foy, 1988). 

Establishment 

Undersander et al. (1990) gives the following guidelines 

for seeding and establishment of Kochia. Soil should 

plowed or disked and weed free. Planting should be done 

late April to early May. Liming of the soil to a pH of 6.0 

is recommended. Nitrogen equaling 100 – 250 lb N/acre 

(113 – 282.5 kg N/ha) should be applied by applying 50 – 

100 lb/acre (56.5 - 113 kg/ha) before planting and 

topdressing the remainder later depending on the 

anticipated yield. Splitting the application and not 

applying more than 150 lb N/acre (169.5 kg N/ha) at one 

time reduces the possibility of nitrate toxicity. Suggested 

potash (K2O) rates are 24 – 50 lb K2O/ton (12 – 25 kg 

K2O /metric ton) of hay harvested. Drilling seed at 1 

lb/acre (1.1 kg/ha) in 36 in (91.4 cm) rows should result 

in an adequate stand. Seeding rates of 1-4 lb/acre (1.1 to 

4.4 kg/ha) may be necessary if a thicker stand is desired 

or if broadcast or airplane seeding is used. Seed depth 

should not exceed ¾ in (1.9 cm) deep with the best results 

around ¼ in (0.64 cm) Kochia will need to be thinned to 

prevent it from crowding itself out. This can be done by 

thinning to 2-10 plants/ft of row by chiseling at right 

angles or windrowing portions of the field and allowing 

livestock to graze the dry feed as they graze the green 

material. An alternate method of thinning is to allow 

livestock grazing for a short time when the plants are 

approximately 2 in. (5.08 cm) tall.

Management 

Kochia scoparia is palatable to all classes of livestock. 

The nutritional value, when immature, is similar to that of 

alfalfa (Stubbendieck et al., 2003). Kochia scoparia can 

be toxic to livestock and may cause death if consumed in 

large quantities by cattle, sheep, or horses (Sprowls, 

1981). Kochia has been known to cause 

polioencephalomalacia and photosensitization in range 

cattle (Dickie and Berryman, 1979). Kochia has been 

identified as containing saponins, alkaloids, oxalates, and 

nitrates all of which are toxic substances that seem to be 

more toxic during times of drought and during seed 

maturity (Dickie and James, 1983), so caution should be 

used when using kochia as forage for livestock. It is 

recommended that kochia forage should consist of not 

more than 50% of livestock ration (Mir et al., 1991; 

Saskatchewan Agriculture, 1986). Kochia stands can be 

grazed by livestock directly but care should be taken to 

prevent poisoning. Rotational grazing of other crops and 

not grazing for more than 90-120 days should help 

prevent poisoning (Undersander et al., 1990). Feeding 

supplemental phosphorus is recommended for livestock 

grazing on kochia due to the low amount that is present in 

the plant (Undersander et al., 1990). 

If kochia is cut for hay or silage it should be cut before it 

has produced seed when it is between 18 – 26 in (45.7 – 

66 cm) tall (Undersander et al., 1990). Under irrigated 

and fertilized conditions kochia could be cut up to four 

times a year (Foster, 1980). Reports of hay production 

has varied from 1 ton/acre (2.25 t/ha) (Hanson 1988) to 

11.5 ton/acre (26 t/ha) (Foster, 1980) depending on 

region, moisture, and fertilization. 

If it is cut for hay, it will likely need to be crimped and 

crushed after cutting and is going to take between 10-30 

days to cure (Hanson, 1988). Kochia is more resistant to 

spoiling, even with rain, and can be baled at higher 

moisture levels than with other crops (Hanson, 1988). If 

hay is harvested when it is too mature and contains coarse 

stalks, then bales will need to be processed (i.e. ground) 

and mixed with other forages for livestock to readily 

consume it (Hanson, 1988). 

Pests and Potential Problems 

There are some insects that are found to use kochia as a 

food source or host, however, they rarely cause major 

problems to the plants (Friesen et al., 2009). Kochia may 

be host to various fungi some of which can be detrimental 

to crops. One such fungus is Aphanomyces cochlioides 

Drechsler, which causes blackroot of sugarbeet in Canada 

(Williams and Asher, 1996). Friesen et al. (2009) 

indicated that kochia may be a host for insects that may 

be vectors for or direct hosts for certain bacteria and 

viruses that can be problems for some agricultural crops 

such as potatoes and tobacco. 

Figure 2. P. Allen Casey. 2009. USDA-NRCS. Dry kochia in a wheat 

stubble field. This plant may break off at the base creating a 

tumbleweed that has the potential to spread seed great distances from 

where it originated. Riley County, Kansas 

Grasses will out-compete kochia (Undersander et al., 

1990). This can be a good trait if kochia is used for soil 

stabilization and it is desired that perennial grasses 

eventually dominate the site. However, if the goal is to 

produce kochia as forage rations for livestock, this can be 

problematic. Currently there is not any herbicide that is 

registered for weed control in kochia. 

Volunteer kochia is likely to be a problem in crops that 

are planted following kochia and control will be necessary 

(Undersander et al., 1990). It has been shown that there is 

at least some herbicide resistance in some populations in 

parts of the United States, Canada, and the Czech 

Republic (Friesen et al., 2009). Theses populations have 

been shown to have at least some resistance to one or 

more of the following: 2, 4-D, triazine, auxinic 

herbicides, dicamba, and sufonylurea (Friesen et al., 

2009). Kochia seems to be most susceptible to herbicides 

early in growth, with the effectiveness lessening as the 

plant matures (Friesen et al., 2009; Eberlein and Fore, 

1984). 

Environmental Concerns 

Kochia is highly invasive and is able to establish and 

persist in harsh environments were other plants are 

limited. Kochia scoparia has been shown to be one of the 

most widespread annual weeds in Kansas, Nebraska, 

Southern Canadian prairies, and throughout the Great 

Plains Region (Phillips and Launchbaugh, 1958; 

Stubbendieck et al., 2003; Blackshaw, 1990). Due to the 

tumble weed type spread of seeds and the documented 

herbicide resistance, kochia may be hard to control once it 

is established in an area.

Kochia can become a serious problem in agricultural 

crops, such as sugarbeets, potatoes, alfalfa, and wheat 

(Boerboom, 1993). Friesen et al. (2009) indicated that 

kochia has some allelopathic properties which inhibit 

growth of other kochia plants and other plant species, 

including common agricultural crops. 

Control 

Please contact your local agricultural extension specialist 

or county weed specialist to learn what works best in your 

area and how to use it safely. Always read label and 

safety instructions for each control method. Trade names 

and control measures appear in this document only to 

provide specific information. USDA NRCS does not 

guarantee or warranty the products and control methods 

named, and other products may be equally effective. 

Kochia exhibits leaf characteristics, such as pubescence 

and a wax, which makes absorption of herbicides difficult 

(Harbour et al., 2003). Absorption and efficacy of 

herbicides is greatly dependent on the dose applied and 

the maturity of kochia, with herbicides becoming less 

effective as the plant matures. 

Some populations have shown resistance to 2, 4-D, 

triazine, auxinic herbicides, dicamba, and sufonylurea 

(Friesen et al., 2009). The herbicide 2, 4-D, itself, does 

not provide acceptable control regardless of formulation, 

dose, or the timing of the application (Friesen et al., 

2009). 

Seeds and Plant Production 

Germination is possible when the top 1-1.5 inches of the 

soil become frost free and the soil temperature reaches 

50°F (10°C) (Becker, 1978; Undersander et al., 1990). 

Viability of kochia seed is greatly reduced 1-2 years after 

production, with germination rates shown to be only 5% 

after one year and 1% after three years, thus preventing 

persistent seed banks of kochia seed (Friesen et al., 2009). 

Seed production is highly variable and depends on the 

conditions and the competition that the plant endures 

(Friesen et al., 2009). Stallings et al. (1995) observed that 

field grown kochia can produce anywhere from 2,000 to 

30,000 seeds per plant. Mature seed is not dormant and 

can germinate immediately under suitable conditions 

(Friesen et al., 2009). Seed can be harvested using a 

combine (Undersander et al., 1990). Kochia reproduces 

solely from seed and has no means or structures for 

vegetative reproduction (Friesen et al., 2009). 

Seedlings of kochia can tolerate frost (Eberlein and Fore, 

1984), but mature plants may not be able to produce 

viable seed in regions with a short frost free growing 

season (Friesen et al., 2009). 

Cultivars, Improved, and Selected Materials (and area 

of origin) 

These plant materials are somewhat available from 

commercial sources as an ornamental. These plant 

materials are not readily available from commercial 

sources for use as livestock forage. 

References 

Becker, D.A. 1978. Stem abscission in tumbleweeds of 

the Chenopodiaceae: kochia. Am. J. Bot. 65:375-383. 

Bilski, J.J., and C.D. Foy. 1988. Differential tolerances of 

weed species to aluminum, manganese, and salinity. J. 

Plant Nutr. 11:93-105. 

Blackshaw, R.E. 1990. Russian thistle (Salsola iberica) 

and kochia (Kochia scoparia) control in dryland corn 

(Zea mays). Weed Technol. 4:631-634. 

Boerboom, C. 1993. Kochia (Kochia scoparia (L.) 

Schrad.). Pacific Northwest Cooperative Ext. Publ. 

460. 

Borrelli, F. and A.A. Izzo. 2000. The plant kingdom as a 

source of anti-ulcer remedies. Phytotherapy Res. 

14:581-591. 

Casey, P.A. 2009. United States Dept. of Agriculture, 

Natural Resources Conservation Service, Kansas Plant 

Materials Center, Manhattan, Kansas. 

Choi, J., K.T. Lee, H.J. Jung, H.S. Park, and H.J. Park. 

2002. Anti-rheumatoid arthritis effect of the Kochia 

scoparia fruits and activity comparison of momordin 

Ic, its prosapogenin and sapogenin. Arch. Pharmacol. 

Res. (Seoul) 25:336-342. 

Dickie, C.W. and J.R. Berryman. 1979. 

Polioencephalomalacia and photosensitization 

associated with Kochia scoparia consumption in range 

cattle. J. Am. Vet. Med. Assoc. 175:463-465. 

Dickie, C.W. and L.F. James. 1983. Kochia scoparia 

poisoning in cattle. J. Am. Vet. Med. Assoc. 183:765- 

768. 

Eberlein, C.V. and Z.Q. Fore. 1984. Kochia biology. 

Weeds Today 15:5-7. 

Everitt, J.H., M.A. Alaniz, and J.B. Lee. 1983. Seed 

germination characteristics of Kochia scoparia. J. 

Range Manag. 36:646-648. 

Forcella, F. 1985. Final distribution is related to rate of 

spread in alien weeds. Weed Res. 25:181-191. 

Foster, C. 1980. Kochia – poor man’s alfalfa – shows 

potential as feed. Rangeland 2:22-23. 

Friesen, L.F., H.J. Beckie, S.I. Warwick, and R.C. Van 

Acker. 2009. The biology of Canadian weeds. 138. 

Kochia scoparia (L.) Schrad. Can. J. of Plant Sci. 

89:141-167. 

Goyal, M.M. and A. Gupta. 1988. Wax composition and 

antibacterial activity of Kochia scoparia. Fitoterapia 

59:145-147. 

Hanson, J. 1988. Farmer’s experiences with kochia as a 

feed. Saskatchewan Research Council Tech. Report 

no. 216. 

Harbour, J.D., C.G. Messersmith, and B.K. Ramsdale. 

2003. Surfactants affect herbicides on kochia (Kochia

scoparia) and Russian thistle (Salsola iberica). Weed 

Sci. 51:430-434 

Kim, N.Y., M.K. Lee, M.J. Park, S.J. Kim, H.J. Park, 

J.W. Choi, S.H. Kim, S.Y. Cho, and J.S. Lee. 2005. 

Momordin Ic and Oleanolic Acid from Kochiae 

Fructus reduce carbon tetrachlorideinduced 

hepatoxicity in rats. J. Med. Food 8:177-183. 

Lasat, M.M., W.A. Norvell, and L.V. Kochian. 1997. 

Potential for phytoextraction of 137Cs from a 

contaminated soil. Plant Soil 195:99-106. 

Mir, Z., S. Bittman, and L. Townley-Smith. 1991. 

Nutritive value of kochia (Kochia scoparia) hay or 

silage grown in a black soil zone in northeastern 

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weed management in Australia. Australian 

Government Department of the Environment and 

Water Resources. Canberra ACT. 

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Plants traditionally used to make brooms in several 

European countries. J. of Ethnobiology and 

Ethnomedicine 3:20. 

Phillips, W.M. and J.L. Launchbaugh. 1958. Preliminary 

studies of the root system of Kochia scoparia at Hays, 

Kansas. Weeds 6:19-23. 

Robson, D.B., J.D. Knight, R.E. Farrell, and J.J. Germida. 

2004 Natural revegetation of hydrocarboncontaminated 

soil in semi-arid grasslands. Can. J. Bot. 

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or opportunity feed? Spec. Ext. Bull. Saskatchewan 

Agriculture, Regina, SK. 

Shu, D.-F. 2003. Kochia. p. 384-386. In Z.I. Wu and P.H. 

Raven (eds.) Flora of China vol. 5 – Ulmaceae 

through Basellaceaea. Science Press, Beijing, People’s 

Republic of China and Missouri Botanical Garden 

Press, St. Louis, MO. 

Sprowls, R. 1981. Problems observed in horses, cattle, 

and sheep grazing kochia. Am. Assoc. Vet. Lab. Diag. 

24th annual Proc. pp. 397-406. 

Stallings, G.P. D.C. Thill, C.A. Mallory-Smith, and B. 

Shafii. 1995. Pollen-mediated gene flow of 

sulfonylurea-resistant kochia (Kochia scoparia). 

Weed Sci. 43:95-102. 

Stubbendieck, J., M.J. Coffin, and L.M. Landholt. 2003. 

Weeds of the Great Plains. Nebraska Dept of 

Agriculture. Lincoln, NE. 

Undersander, D.J., B.R. Durgan, A.R. Kaminski, J.D. 

Doll, G.L. Worf, and E.E. Schulte. 1990. Alternative 

field crops manual [Online]. Available at: 

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(verified 2 November 2009). 

Usher, G. 1974. A dictionary of plants used by man. 

Macmillan Publ. Co. Inc., New York, NY. 

Whitney, H.M., O. Sayanova, J.A. Pickett, and J.A. 

Napier. 2004. Isolation and expression pattern of two 

putative acyl-ACP desaturase cDNAs from Bassia 

scoparia. J. Exp. Bot. 55:787-789. 

Whitson, T.D., L.C. Burrill, S.A. Dewey, D.W. Cudney, 

B.E. Nelson, R.D. Lee, and R. Parker. 1991. Weeds of 

the West. West. Soc. Weed Sci. and Univ. Wyoming, 

Laramie, WY. 

Williams, G.E. and M.J.C. Asher. 1996. Selection of 

rhizobacteria for the control of Pythium ultimum and 

Aphanomyces cochlioides on sugar-beet seedlings. 

Crop Protection 15:479-486. 

Yoshikawa, M., H. Shimada, T. Morikawa, S. Yoshizumi, 

N. Matsumura, T. Murakami, H. Matsuda, K. Hori, 

and J. Yamahara. 1997. Medicinial Foodstuffs. VII. 

On the saponin constituents with glucose and alcohol 

absorption-inhibitory activity from a food garnish 

“Tonburi”, the fruit of Japanese Kochia scoparia (L.) 

Schrad. Structures of scoparianosides A, B, and C. 

Chem. Pharm. Bull. (Tokyo) 45:1300-1305. 

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the scientific names of weeds and crops. Iowa State 

University Press, Ames, IA. 

Prepared By 

P. Allen Casey, USDA NRCS Plant Materials Center, 

Manhattan, Kansas 

Citation 

Casey, P.A. 2009. Plant guide for kochia (Kochia 

scoparia). USDA-Natural Resources Conservation 

Service, Kansas Plant Materials Center. Manhattan, KS. 

Published April, 2010 

Edited: 

For more information about this and other plants, please 

contact your local NRCS field office or Conservation 

District at http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/ and visit the 

PLANTS Web site at http://plants.usda.gov/ or the Plant 

Materials Program Web site http://plantmaterials.nrcs.usda.gov. 

PLANTS is not responsible for the content or availability 

of other Web sites. 

USDA IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY PROVIDER AND EMPLOYER

Kochia, Bassia scoparia, Plant Guide - Plant Materials Program

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