kochia

Kochia is a genus of flowering plants in the Amaranthaceae family. The best-known species is Kochia scoparia, which has also been classified as Bassia scoparia in some taxonomic treatments. Native to Eurasia, it has been widely introduced elsewhere for ornamental purposes, erosion control, and forage in some regions.

Kochia scoparia is an annual plant with a fast-growing, erect to sprawling habit that can reach roughly 0.5 to 2 meters in height. It has slender, linear leaves and small greenish flowers arranged in dense inflorescences. The foliage is typically green but often changes to red or purple in autumn or under stress, producing a conspicuous seasonal color shift.

The plant colonizes disturbed soils and a range of habitats, including roadsides, fields, and dunes. In North America and other areas where it has been introduced, kochia can become naturalized and invasive, forming dense stands that displace native vegetation and complicate weed management. It is frequently regarded as a troublesome weed in agricultural fields and rangeland.

Because of its drought tolerance and rapid growth, kochia has been used in some landscapes as a decorative filler, windbreak, or ground cover and has seen application in erosion-control projects in arid regions. Its potential to become persistent in certain ecosystems has led to management measures, including cultural controls and, where permitted, chemical herbicides.