Farmers and ranchers know kochia plants, either as weeds,
emergency forage, or both. Two species of kochia commonly grow
in the United States and while they differ significantly, they
can be confused with each other. Kochia prostrata, also known as
forage kochia, is a perennial, broadleaf plant that grows well
in a variety of environments. Although it is a non-native plant
of Asian origin, K.prostrata is not considered an invasive weed.
Kochia scoparia, also known as fireweed, burning bush or summer
cypress, is an annual plant that spreads more readily and
becomes a problem weed in some areas. This website has photos
comparing the two plants at different growth stages. Researchers
with USDA’s Agricultural Research Service, running field trials
with K. prostrata in Utah, have found the plant can provide more
nutritious winter forage than traditional rangeland vegetation.
They found that the forage yield on rangelands seeded with
forage kochia was 2,309 pounds per acre, six times greater than
the forage yield o