Mexican-fireweed

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Kochia scoparia
• Kochia densiflora
• Salsola scoparia
• Kochia scoparia var. trichophylla
• Bushiola scoparia
• Kochia scoparia var. culta
• Bassia angustifolia
• Bassia littorea
• Kochia scoparia sieversiana
• Kochia scoparia var. songarica
• Kochia sieversiana
• Kochia scoparia var. sieversiana
• Bassia sieversiana
• Kochia scoparia var. alata
• Kochia scoparia var. angustifolia
• Kochia scoparia var. littorea
• Chenopodium scoparia
• Bassia scoparia var. culta
• Kochia scoparia var. subvillosa
• Kochia alata
• Kochia albovillosa
• Kochia sicorica
• Kochia scoparia f. suaedifolia
• Kochia scoparia subsp. hirsutissima
• Kochia virgata
• Kochia trichophylla
• Kochia scoparia f. densa
• Kochia parodii
• Suaeda cinerea
• Suaeda sieversiana
• Salsola songarica
• Bassia scoparia subsp. culta
• Bassia scoparia subsp. densiflora
• Bassia scoparia var. subvillosa
• Bassia scoparia f. trichophylla
• Bassia sicorica
• Kochia scoparia f. densiflora
• Bassia alata
• Atriplex scoparia
• Kochia scoparia subsp. culta
• Kochia littorea
• Kochia angustifolia
• Kochia parodii var. glabrescens
• Kochia parodii var. elongata
• Kochia parodii var. densa
• Kochia scoparia var. albovillosa
• Kochia scoparia subsp. densiflora
• Kochia scoparia var. subglabra
• Kochia scoparia f. trichophylla
• Kochia scoparia f. littorea

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. It is further categorized under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Caryophyllales, falling into the family Amaranthaceae. Ultimately, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Bassia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, known scientifically as Bassia scoparia, exhibits a specific distribution across several regions of Northern Europe. It can be found growing within the borders of Denmark. Its presence is also documented throughout the landscapes of Finland. Furthermore, the species is widely distributed across Great Britain and Ireland. Finally, its geographical range extends into the northern territories of Norway.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Bassia scoparia is characterized by its broad adaptability to varying topographical positions, primarily thriving in lowland habitats. This species exhibits a wide vertical distribution across different altitudinal gradients, with an elevational range that begins at sea level (0 m AMSL) and extends up to a maximum of 1500 m AMSL. While it is frequently found in lower-lying regions, its presence across these elevations results in an average elevational range of approximately 1800 m AMSL, reflecting its ability to colonize diverse landscape niches within these specific environmental parameters.

Elevational range max:

1500 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1800 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Lowland

Life history

The life history of Bassia scoparia is characterized by an annual lifecycle, meaning the plant completes its entire biological progression from germination to seed production within a single growing season. In terms of its ecological classification and growth habit, it is categorized as a therophyte, a life form defined by completing its life cycle rapidly and surviving unfavorable seasons in the form of resistant seeds. This strategy allows the species to colonize disturbed or seasonal environments effectively, relying on its annual reproductive cycle to ensure persistence across generations.

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Bassia scoparia is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and forb, functioning as a self-supporting, independent organism that does not exhibit parasitic or epiphytic behavior, maintaining a strictly terrestrial existence. The plant displays an erect shoot orientation and is categorized as a self-supporting structure rather than a climber, vine, or liana. In terms of stature, it exhibits significant variability in plant height, with minimum measurements recorded at 0.1 m, a mean height of approximately 0.99 m, and a maximum height reaching up to 2 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

2 m

Plant height mean:

0.99 m

Plant height min:

0.1 m

Shoot orientation :

erect

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Bassia scoparia is characterized by a highly efficient metabolic and morphological framework optimized for its environmental niche. The plant utilizes a C4 photosynthetic pathway, a specialized mechanism that enhances carbon fixation efficiency and minimizes photorespiration, particularly in warmer or drier conditions. Its foliage consists of lanceolate leaves with entire margins, lacking both thorns and spines, and is classified as non-carnivorous. Morphologically, the leaves exhibit a range of dimensions, with lengths varying from a minimum of 1.5 cm to a maximum of 2.5 cm, while the width fluctuates between a minimum and maximum of 0.2 cm to 0.5 cm, resulting in a mean leaf width of 0.2 cm. The average leaf size is measured at 0.95375 cm², reflecting a compact leaf structure. Furthermore, the Specific Leaf Area (SLA) provides insight into its resource allocation and leaf density, with values ranging from a minimum of 386.3141071 cm²/g to a maximum of 386.3141071 cm²/g, yielding a mean SLA of 301.90705355 cm²/g.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Leaf form :

lanceolate

Leaf length max:

2.5 cm

Leaf length min:

1.5 cm

Leaf margin :

entire

Leaf size mean:

0.95375 cm²

Leaf spines :

no

Leaf thorns :

no

Leaf width max:

0.5 cm

Leaf width mean:

0.2 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C4

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

301.90705355 cm²/g

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) min:

386.3141071 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Bassia scoparia is primarily a sexual process, as asexual reproduction is absent. The flowering period typically commences in July and continues through October. This reproductive cycle relies on abiotic pollination, specifically utilizing a wind pollination syndrome to facilitate fertilization, as self-fertilization is absent. The resulting fruit is classified as an achene and is indehiscent. The seeds produced are characterized by a highly consistent length of 1.8 mm (with both minimum and maximum values at 1.8 mm) and a mean mass of approximately 0.00104 g, though individual seed masses can range from a minimum of 0.00012 g to a maximum of 0.0058 g. For the spread of the species, Bassia scoparia employs an anemochorous dispersal syndrome, relying on the wind to transport its seeds to new locations.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Flowering time :

Jul

Flowering time :

Oct

Fruit type :

achene

Pollination syndrome :

wind

Pollination syndrome :

abiotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Seed length mean:

1.8 mm

Seed mass max:

0.0058 g

Seed mass mean:

0.00104333333333333 g

Seed mass min:

0.00012 g

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Bassia scoparia has 1 reported plant parts identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include fruit.

Fruit

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
2. Planta medica
3. Journal of ethnopharmacology
4. Current issues in molecular biology

Chemicals

Bassia scoparia has 17 reported phytochemicals identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include OLEANOLIC ACID, 5,2'-Dihydroxy-6,7-methylenedioxyisoflavone, CHLOROFORM, Daucosterol, ETHYL ACETATE.

OLEANOLIC ACID

1. Biological & pharmaceutical bulletin
2. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

5,2'-Dihydroxy-6,7-methylenedioxyisoflavone

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

CHLOROFORM

1. Parasitology research

Daucosterol

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

ETHYL ACETATE

1. Parasitology research

Fumalicacid

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

Iriflogenin

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

Momordin Ic

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

N-trans-feruloylmethoxytyramine

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

PETROLEUM ETHER

1. Parasitology research

Activities

Bassia scoparia has 2 reported activities identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antipruritic, Moisturizing.

Antipruritic

1. Biological & pharmaceutical bulletin

Moisturizing

1. Current issues in molecular biology

Medicinal Uses

Bassia scoparia has 2 reported medicinal uses identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include inflammation, wound.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations