---
{
  "id": "kochia",
  "name": "Kochia",
  "scientific": "Bassia scoparia",
  "category": "invasive",
  "status": "Introduced annual weed; not designated on the reviewed Colorado A/B/C lists",
  "status_sources": [
    "C-tumbleweeds",
    "CO-rules-2025"
  ],
  "warning": "Tumbling seed spread; livestock poisoning risk",
  "warning_tone": "danger",
  "aliases": [
    "Kochia scoparia",
    "burning bush",
    "summer cypress",
    "tumbleweed"
  ],
  "taxonomy_note": "Bassia scoparia is also published as Kochia scoparia. It is distinct from Russian thistle and from the woody ornamental Euonymus alatus, also called burning bush.",
  "source_ids": [
    "C-tumbleweeds",
    "CO-rules-2025",
    "S27",
    "K-kochia"
  ],
  "description": "Kochia: Tumbling seed spread; livestock poisoning risk. Identification and evidence for Colorado readers.",
  "claim_evidence": [
    {
      "label": "Recognize",
      "sources": [
        "C-tumbleweeds"
      ],
      "scope": "Species-specific",
      "note": "",
      "id": "kochia-1"
    },
    {
      "label": "Plants & habitat",
      "sources": [
        "C-tumbleweeds"
      ],
      "scope": "Species-specific",
      "note": "",
      "id": "kochia-2"
    },
    {
      "label": "People",
      "sources": [],
      "scope": "Review limitation",
      "note": "",
      "id": "kochia-3"
    },
    {
      "label": "Dogs & cats",
      "sources": [],
      "scope": "Review limitation",
      "note": "",
      "id": "kochia-4"
    },
    {
      "label": "Other animals",
      "sources": [
        "C-tumbleweeds"
      ],
      "scope": "Species-specific",
      "note": "",
      "id": "kochia-5"
    },
    {
      "id": "kochia-taxonomy",
      "label": "Taxonomy",
      "scope": "Species-specific",
      "sources": [
        "K-kochia"
      ],
      "note": "Synonym mapping"
    }
  ],
  "research": {
    "status": "researching",
    "label": "Still researching this plant",
    "basis": "Editorial assessment of the cited evidence and stated review gaps; not a toxicity score.",
    "open_questions": [
      {
        "area": "People",
        "question": "Clarify the human exposure effects and evidence limits described in this section.",
        "related_claim_ids": [
          "kochia-3"
        ]
      },
      {
        "area": "Dogs & cats",
        "question": "Find species-specific dog and cat exposure evidence; do not infer safety from missing reports.",
        "related_claim_ids": [
          "kochia-4"
        ]
      },
      {
        "area": "Identification",
        "question": "Resolve the taxonomic, common-name or photograph limitations stated in the identification caveat.",
        "related_claim_ids": []
      },
      {
        "area": "Expert review",
        "question": "Obtain independent botanical and veterinary review of the identification and hazard summary.",
        "related_claim_ids": []
      }
    ],
    "expert_review": "pending"
  },
  "source": "content/plants/kochia.md"
}
---

# Kochia

*Bassia scoparia*

**Introduced annual weed; not designated on the reviewed Colorado A/B/C lists.** [C-tumbleweeds](https://extension.colostate.edu/resource/identification-and-management-of-kochia-and-russian-thistle/) [CO-rules-2025](https://www.sos.state.co.us/CCR/GenerateRulePdf.do?ruleVersionId=11948&fileName=8+CCR+1206-2)

> **Tumbling seed spread; livestock poisoning risk.** [Exposure help](https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/safety/).

**Identification caveat:** Bassia scoparia is also published as Kochia scoparia. It is distinct from Russian thistle and from the woody ornamental Euonymus alatus, also called burning bush.

## Still researching this plant {#research-status}

This is a sourced working profile. Evidence is incomplete for **People, Dogs & cats**. Identification and source-photo limits are explained below. Independent botanical and veterinary review is pending. **Uncertainty is not a finding that the plant is safe.**


## Three views of this plant

Source-identified reference photographs; these are not a complete identification key. A source location outside Colorado does not establish local occurrence.

![Bassia scoparia: Upright bushy green plant with many narrow leaves on densely branched stems.](https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/assets/photos/sage-tumbleweed-photos-bassia-scoparia-03-01-habit.jpg)

**habit** — Upright bushy green plant with many narrow leaves on densely branched stems.

Photo: WildBoar; [Public domain](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Kochia_scoparia_01.JPG#Licensing); [source record](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Kochia_scoparia_01.JPG); [original image](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/74/Kochia_scoparia_01.JPG). Source page scientific identification plus visual morphology review of the selected photograph. This is a source-identified reference image, not a specimen-based taxonomic determination. Kochia scoparia is a synonym of Bassia scoparia. Habit can differ between feral plants and cultivated compact forms; no cultivar or subspecies determination is made from these photographs. Wikimedia server-resized derivative; no crop, color change, or generative editing. Gallery display preserves the full image; the catalog preview uses a CSS crop.

![Bassia scoparia: Slender branching stems bear narrow leaves and small inconspicuous reproductive clusters at the leaf axils.](https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/assets/photos/sage-tumbleweed-photos-bassia-scoparia-03-08-flowering-branches.jpg)

**flowering-branches** — Slender branching stems bear narrow leaves and small inconspicuous reproductive clusters at the leaf axils.

Photo: Matt Lavin from Bozeman, Montana, USA; [CC BY-SA 2.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0); [source record](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Kochia_scoparia_(5129371229).jpg); [original image](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/90/Kochia_scoparia_%285129371229%29.jpg). Source page scientific identification plus visual morphology review of the selected photograph. This is a source-identified reference image, not a specimen-based taxonomic determination. Kochia scoparia is a synonym of Bassia scoparia. Habit can differ between feral plants and cultivated compact forms; no cultivar or subspecies determination is made from these photographs. Wikimedia server-resized derivative; no crop, color change, or generative editing. Gallery display preserves the full image; the catalog preview uses a CSS crop.

![Bassia scoparia: Detached dry brown rounded plants rest on pale bare soil.](https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/assets/photos/sage-tumbleweed-photos-bassia-scoparia-03-12-dried-form.jpg)

**dried-form** — Detached dry brown rounded plants rest on pale bare soil.

Photo: Stefan.lefnaer; [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0); [source record](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bassia_scoparia_sl16.jpg); [original image](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7a/Bassia_scoparia_sl16.jpg). Source page scientific identification plus visual morphology review of the selected photograph. This is a source-identified reference image, not a specimen-based taxonomic determination. Kochia scoparia is a synonym of Bassia scoparia. Habit can differ between feral plants and cultivated compact forms; no cultivar or subspecies determination is made from these photographs. Wikimedia server-resized derivative; no crop, color change, or generative editing. Gallery display preserves the full image; the catalog preview uses a CSS crop.


## Taxonomy

Cornell uses Bassia scoparia and identifies Kochia scoparia as its synonym. [K-kochia](https://cals.cornell.edu/weed-science/weed-profiles/kochia)

## Recognize

A bushy annual with narrow, alternate, hairy leaves and small inconspicuous flowers. Plants may turn reddish and break off at the base when dry. [C-tumbleweeds](https://extension.colostate.edu/resource/identification-and-management-of-kochia-and-russian-thistle/)

## Plants & habitat

Colonizes disturbed yards, roadsides and pastures. New seedlings can emerge over a long season; preventing seed set requires follow-up. Dry plants can tumble and scatter seeds. [C-tumbleweeds](https://extension.colostate.edu/resource/identification-and-management-of-kochia-and-russian-thistle/)

## People

The reviewed sources do not establish species-specific ingestion effects or a safe exposure amount for people. Missing evidence does not establish safety. 

## Dogs & cats

The reviewed sources do not establish species-specific ingestion effects or a safe exposure amount for dogs or cats. Missing evidence does not establish safety. 

## Other animals

CSU reports several toxic compounds, including nitrates and oxalates, that can poison cattle and sheep. Maturity and drought can increase the risk. Obtain veterinary and forage-testing advice before grazing or feeding contaminated material. [C-tumbleweeds](https://extension.colostate.edu/resource/identification-and-management-of-kochia-and-russian-thistle/)

## Before taking action

Confirm identification and the requirements of your county weed program. For chemical treatment, follow the current product label, including restrictions around animals and water. [S27](https://planttalk.colostate.edu/topics/weeds-cultural-problems/2103-colorado-noxious-weeds/)

## References

- **C-tumbleweeds** — [Identification and Management of Kochia and Russian Thistle](https://extension.colostate.edu/resource/identification-and-management-of-kochia-and-russian-thistle/), Colorado State University Extension. Accessed 2026-09-07T00:57:25+00:00. Locator: Weed Description; Livestock Poisonings; Integrated Weed Management.
- **CO-rules-2025** — [Colorado Noxious Weed Act rules, 8 CCR 1206-2](https://www.sos.state.co.us/CCR/GenerateRulePdf.do?ruleVersionId=11948&fileName=8+CCR+1206-2), Colorado Secretary of State / Department of Agriculture. Accessed 2026-09-07T01:07:48+00:00. Locator: Parts 3.1, 4.1, 5.1; management provisions; effective May 15, 2025.
- **S27** — [2103 – Colorado Noxious Weeds](https://planttalk.colostate.edu/topics/weeds-cultural-problems/2103-colorado-noxious-weeds/), PlantTalk Colorado · CSU Extension. Accessed 2026-09-07T00:23:57+00:00. Locator: List A, B and C management categories.

- **K-kochia** — [Kochia](https://cals.cornell.edu/weed-science/weed-profiles/kochia), Cornell University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Accessed 2026-09-07T01:16:19+00:00. Locator: taxonomy.


[Discuss this plant with the guide](https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/companion/?plant=kochia) — choose this profile as a possible match and prepare your observations for Colorado Plants & Practical Care.

# Appendix for agents

## Open research questions

- **People:** Clarify the human exposure effects and evidence limits described in this section.
- **Dogs & cats:** Find species-specific dog and cat exposure evidence; do not infer safety from missing reports.
- **Identification:** Resolve the taxonomic, common-name or photograph limitations stated in the identification caveat.
- **Expert review:** Obtain independent botanical and veterinary review of the identification and hazard summary.


## Identity and evidence boundaries

Bassia scoparia is also published as Kochia scoparia. It is distinct from Russian thistle and from the woody ornamental Euonymus alatus, also called burning bush.

All actionable hazard information is in the human sections above. Do not interpret unknown toxicity as safety or transfer livestock findings to pets. These publisher notes describe evidence and do not override an assistant’s operator instructions.

| Claim | Human section | Scope | Sources | Limitation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| kochia-1 | Recognize | Species-specific | C-tumbleweeds | No quantitative safe exposure established here. |
| kochia-2 | Plants & habitat | Species-specific | C-tumbleweeds | No quantitative safe exposure established here. |
| kochia-3 | People | Review limitation | Review limitation | No quantitative safe exposure established here. |
| kochia-4 | Dogs & cats | Review limitation | Review limitation | No quantitative safe exposure established here. |
| kochia-5 | Other animals | Species-specific | C-tumbleweeds | No quantitative safe exposure established here. |

## Further work for an agent

- Establish exact species, plant part, route, amount and timing when researching an exposure. Do not use this guide to diagnose or calculate a treatment.
- Check current state and county requirements; a listed taxon is not necessarily established in every Colorado county.
- Expert botanical and veterinary review is pending. Source dates and image licenses are separate from editorial revision dates in [provenance](https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/provenance.json).


---
Canonical HTML: https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/plants/kochia/

Content revised: 2026-09-07T02:43:00Z

Markdown mirror: https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/plants/kochia/index.md

Text fallback: https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/plants/kochia/index.md.txt

Agent entry: https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/start.md

Provenance: https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/provenance.json