kochia
Family
ChenopodiaceaeScientific Name
Kochia scopariaSynonyms (former Scientific Names):
Kochia alata
Kochia trichophila
Kochia scoparia
Kochia sieversiana
Kochia trichophylla
Leaves
Occur alternately along the stem. Leaves are linear to lanceolate in outline, ranging from 1 to2 inches in length, and taper to a point. Leaves do not occur on petioles (sessile) and usually only have hairs along the leaf margins.
Identifying Characteristics
An erect, much-branched summer annual weed of agronomic crops, pastures, and roadsides. The highly branched nature of kochia and the hairs that occur along the leaf margins are characteristics that help to distinguish this weed from most other species. Young kochia seedlings may be confused with Common Lambsquarters (Chenopodium album) seedlings but the cotyledons of this weed are hairless.
Flower Seed Head
Flowers: Occur in clusters at the ends of stems (terminal panicles) and also in the position between the leaf bases and stems (leaf axils). Flowers are relatively inconspicuous, green in color, and approximately 5 to 10 mm long. Flowers have distinctive hairy bracts beneath which tends to give the flowering stems a 'prickly' appearance.Roots: A taproot and fibrous root system.Fruit: A small bladder known as an utricle
Seed Fruit
Seedlings: Cotyledons are very narrow, essentially linear in outline, dull green in color, and covered with hairs. The first true leaves are also very narrow and linear to elliptic in outline. Young leaves are also covered with hairs and especially have hairs along the leaf margins.Stems: Erect, ranging from 1 to 4 feet in height. Stems are much branched and often have a reddish tint.
Where Found
Kochia does not occur in Virginia, but is continually spreading South from the northern United States where it is a common weed. Kochia is also present in the western and southwestern United States.
Growth Habit
upright and nonwoody
Thorns or Spines
not present
Approximate Flower Diameter
pencil
Dominant Flower Color
Varies:
red,
green
Flower Symmetry
radial symmetery
Leaf Hairs
has hairs
Leaf Shape
lance
Leaf Arrangement
alternate
Leaf Margin
entire
Leaf Structure
simple
Leaf Stalk
none
Stem Hairs
no hairs
Stem Cross Section
round or oval
Milky Sap
not present
Root Structure
Varies:
fibrous,
taproot
Life Cycle
summer annual
Ochrea
not present
Plant Type
Herb