Kochia

Roth

J. Bot. (Schrader) 1800(1): 307. 1801.

Etymology: For W. D. J. Koch, 1771–1849, German naturalist and physician
Synonyms: Bassia sect. Kochia (Roth) A. J. Scott
Treatment appears in FNA Volume 4. Treatment on page 310. Mentioned on page 260, 265, 309, 311.
Revision as of 20:01, 24 September 2019 by FNA>Volume Importer

Herbs and subshrubs, annual or perennial, glabrous or densely tomentose-sericeous. Stems erect, ascending, or prostrate, simple or branched, not jointed, not armed, not fleshy; branches alternate [proximal sometimes almost opposite]. Leaves alternate [rarely proximal almost opposite], sessile (sometimes narrowed into pseudopetiole); blade obovate-lanceolate, lanceolate, linear, or filiform, flat or semiterete, base truncate, margins entire, apex rounded. Inflorescences terminal, spicate or paniculately branched; flowers solitary or in 2–5-flowered clusters in axils of bracts; bracts leaflike. Flowers bisexual or pistillate, sessile; perianth segments 5, with horizontal, membranous wing [sometimes reduced to slightly winged tubercles] adaxially; stamens 5; stigmas 2–3. Fruiting structures: perianth covering utricles at maturity, utricles compressed-spheric or compressed-elliptic; pericarp free or nearly so, membranous. Seeds wedge-shaped; seed coat dull brown, slightly ribbed; embryo annular; perisperm copious. x = 9.

Distribution

North America, Eurasia, Africa, some species nearly worldwide (as introduced).

Discussion

Species 13–16 (3 in the flora).

Kochia occurs mostly in steppe, desert, and semidesert zones.

Key

1 Annual herbs; proximal cauline leaves usually (1-)3-5-veined, distinctly cuneate at base, sometimes narrowed into pseudopetiole [17a. Kochia sect. Semibassia] Kochia scoparia
1 Subshrubs, stem bases woody; all leaves 1-veined (or vein obscure), sessile [17b. Kochia sect. Neokochia] > 2
2 Stems abundantly branched near base, distal parts simple or nearly so, finely white- tomentose or becoming glabrous; leaves usually overlapping Kochia americana
2 Stems solitary or little-branched at base, branched throughout, grayish or brownish puberulent; leaves generally not overlapping Kochia californica