Kochia
Alert
Have you seen Kochia?
Be on the lookout for Kochia and report it to Biosecurity Queensland. Early detection and reporting are the key elements in preventing Kochia from becoming a major problem in Queensland.
You must take reasonable action to minimise the risk of spreading Kochia to ensure the situation isn't worsened.
You must report all sightings to Biosecurity Queensland within 24 hours.
Call us on 13 25 23.
Kochia seedling
© Phil Westra Creative Commons
Kochia yellow flowers & leaves
© Phil Westra Creative Commons
Kochia with red foliage & flowers
© Leslie Mehrhoff Creative Commons
Kochia small bushes with red foliage
© Leslie Mehrhoff Creative Commons
Kochia infestation in cornfield
© Phil Westra Creative Commons
Kochia mature infestation
© Phil Westra Creative Commons
Native to Europe and Asia, kochia is a small annual plant. It was grown as an ornamental hedge around gardens and is sometimes sold in nurseries under the name 'burning bush', due to its red-tinged foliage at certain times of year. It is a serious invasive plant in North America. While it is not known to exist in Queensland, it has the potential to become a serious invasive plant if it is ever introduced and planted.
Scientific name
Other names
- Burning bush
Description
- Small annual plant up to 1.5m tall.
- Leaves are alternate, 50mm long, 8mm wide.
- Flowers are small, found at branch tip.
- Fruit are star-shaped, 2mm wide, containing a single seed.
Habitat
- Tolerates drought.
- Prefers most soil types.
- Found along railway lines and roadsides.
Distribution
- Not known to occur in Queensland.
Life cycle
- Reproduces by seed only.
- Produces about 14,000 seeds in late summer.
- Seeds germinate in spring.
Impacts
Economic
- Potential to invade crops and pastures.
How it is spread
- Seeds spread by wind.
Prevention
Control
- Before undertaking any preventative or control actions, contact our Customer Service Centre.
Legal requirements
- Kochia is a prohibited invasive plant under the Biosecurity Act 2014.
- You must not keep, move, give away, sell or release into the environment. Penalties may apply.
- You must not take any action reasonably likely to exacerbate the biosecurity threat posed by kochia.
- You must take any action that is reasonably likely to minimise the biosecurity threat posed by kochia. You must report all sightings to Biosecurity Queensland within 24 hours.
Further information
Contact the Customer Service Centre
- Last reviewed: 27 Sep 2021
- Last updated: 27 Sep 2021