Forage kochia

Bassia prostrata

Formerly Kochia prostrata. Evergreen subshrub 1-3 ft. tall with small inconspicuous flower clusters, blooming July to September. Adapted to a wide range of soils from sands and gravels to clays and silts, including shallow infertile and highly saline or sodic sites; up to 7,500 ft. elevation. Not be confused with its weedy distant relative Kochia (B. scoparia). Extremely drought tolerant, remaining green throughout the wildfire season. Exceptional fire resistance, able to suppress or stop approaching wildfires and is used for greenstrip firebreaks in cheatgrass infested ranges on arid sites of the Intermountain West. Competes well with cheatgrass and other aggressive weeds such as halogeton, Russian thistle and medusahead. Provides highly palatable and nutritious year-round forage and cover for livestock, wildlife and upland game birds.