Participant Info

Species

Bassia scoparia [Bassia sieversiana] [Kochia scoparia] [Kochia sieversiana] [Chenopodium scoparium]

Family

Amaranthaceae

CommonName

burningbush, kochia, alfalfa de pobre, morenita, Mexican fireweed

Presence

Yes

Status

exotic

EarliestDate

1936

LatestDate

2024

Ecosystem

basin, shrubland, ruderal, urban, sanddunes

Geobotanical

SSawatch, Garitas, SSanjuans, Culebras, NCristos, UBasin, LBasin

Counties

Alamosa, Conejos, Costilla, Hinsdale, Mineral, Rio Grande, Saguache, Archuleta

Passes

WildlifePreserves

Alamosa, Baca, Great Sand Dunes, Russell Lakes, San Luis Lakes

Other Localities

Alamosa (town), Del Norte

PhotoRecords

YES Rich Haswell: Russell Lakes SWA 8 Sept 2017

Comments

Bassia scoparia is by far the most wide spread of exotic "weeds" in the Watershed. It grows in disturbed ground everywhere, sometimes in extensive patches. Its distinctive furry three-veined leaves are a common early spring feature of waste ground in towns, and in autumn it is one of the common tumbleweeds blown across Basin roads. Present in all USA states, except for the Southern ones, it follows the Rio Grande drainage through New Mexico and in Texas halfway to the Gulf. For more ohotos and commentary, click "yes" in the Annotation field below.

Annotation

Yes