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Bassia scoparia

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Bassia scoparia
Bassia scoparia
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Plantae
(unranked):
Angiosperms
(unranked):
Eudicots
(unranked):
Core eudicots
Order:
Caryophyllales
Family:
Amaranthaceae
Subfamily:
Camphorosmoideae
Genus:
Bassia
Species:
Bassia scoparia
Synonyms

Kochia scoparia (L.) Schrad.

Bassia scoparia (synonym Kochia scoparia) is a large annual herb native to Eurasia.[1] It has introduced populations in many parts of North America,[2] where it is found in grassland, prairie, and desert shrub ecosystems.[1] Its vernacular names include burningbush,[2] ragweed, summer cypress,[1] fireball, belvedere and Mexican firebrush,[3] Mexican fireweed.[3]It may be planted in almost any climate zone in early spring.

Mexican Firebrush (B. S. trichophylla) is a cultivar of B. scoparia that turns bright red in the fall. They easily self-seed and can become a weed if not controlled.

Biology

The seed of Bassia scoparia is dispersed by wind, water, and especially by the whole plant detaching and tumbling in the wind (see Tumbleweed).[1] The seed does not persist in the soil seed bank, but either germinates or dies within about a year.[1]

Bassia scoparia is a C4 plant, specifically of the NADP-ME type.[4][5]

Uses

Uses of Bassia scoparia include human food and traditional medicine, forage for livestock, and erosion control.

Tonburi

Tonburi

The seeds of Bassia scoparia are eaten as a food garnish called tonburi (とんぶり) (Japanese). Its texture is similar to caviar, and it also is called "land caviar", "field caviar" and "mountain caviar". In Japan, tonburi is a delicacy (chinmi) of Akita prefecture. After harvesting the seeds are dried. To prepare them, the seeds are boiled and soaked in cold water for about a day, then rubbed by hand to remove the outer skin. The seeds are 1–2 mm in diameter, glossy with a black-green color.

Tonburi also is used in traditional Chinese medicine. It may prevent metabolic disorders such as hyperlipidemia, hypertension, obesity and atherosclerosis. In a study of mice fed a high-fat diet, an extract of tonburi did limit obesity.[6] Bassia scoparia seeds contain momordin Ic, a triterpene saponin.[7]

Forage

The plant is a moderately useful forage for livestock, and a potential forage crop for dry lands.[8] However, its use is limited by toxicity when fed in large quantities. Livestock grazing principally on lush stands of Bassia scoparia sometimes experience weight loss, hyperbilirubinemia, photosensitization, and polyuria.[9] When used as the only feed for weeks, Bassia scoparia hay may cause toxicity in cattle.[10]

Other

Ornamental planting

Bassia scoparia is planted for ornament or erosion control.[1] It is a known hyperaccumulator of Chromium, Lead, Mercury, Selenium, Silver, Zinc,[11][12] and Uranium,[13] , and as such can be used for phytoremediation.

Systematics

The species was first published in 1753 by Carl Linnaeus, who named it Chenopodium scoparium. In 1809, it was included into the genus Kochia by Heinrich Schrader, and in 1978, into genus Bassia by A.J.Scott. Recent phylogenetic research confirmed, that Kochia has to be included in Bassia.[4]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f Kochia scoparia, Fire Effects Information System
  2. ^ a b USDA PLANTS Profile for Bassia scoparia (L.) A.J. Scott burningbush. Retrieved October 19, 2007.
  3. ^ a b "USDA GRIN taxonomy".
  4. ^ a b Gudrun Kadereit & Helmut Freitag: Molecular phylogeny of Camphorosmeae (Camphorosmoideae, Chenopodiaceae): Implications for biogeography, evolution of C4-photosynthesis and taxonomy, In: Taxon, Volume 60 (1), 2011, p. 51-78.
  5. ^ Attention: This template ({{cite doi}}) is deprecated. To cite the publication identified by doi: 10.3732/ajb.94.3.362 , please use {{cite journal}} (if it was published in a bona fide academic journal, otherwise {{cite report}} with |doi= 10.3732/ajb.94.3.362 instead.
  6. ^ Attention: This template ({{cite pmid}}) is deprecated. To cite the publication identified by PMID 16892459, please use {{cite journal}} with |pmid=16892459 instead.
  7. ^ Attention: This template ({{cite pmid}}) is deprecated. To cite the publication identified by PMID 10215646, please use {{cite journal}} with |pmid=10215646 instead.
  8. ^ Attention: This template ({{cite pmid}}) is deprecated. To cite the publication identified by PMID 1885403, please use {{cite journal}} with |pmid=1885403 instead.
  9. ^ Attention: This template ({{cite pmid}}) is deprecated. To cite the publication identified by PMID 1885402, please use {{cite journal}} with |pmid= 1885402 instead.
  10. ^ Attention: This template ({{cite pmid}}) is deprecated. To cite the publication identified by PMID 1938652, please use {{cite journal}} with |pmid=1938652 instead.
  11. ^ McCutcheon & Schnoor 2003, Phytoremediation. New Jersey, John Wiley & Sons, page 898.
  12. ^ Phytoremediation. By McCutcheon & Schnoor. 2003, New Jersey, John Wiley & Sons pg 19.
  13. ^ Attention: This template ({{cite pmid}}) is deprecated. To cite the publication identified by PMID 14674516, please use {{cite journal}} with |pmid= 14674516 instead.
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