[plants.usda.gov] Environmental Concerns: Environmental Concerns Kochia is highly invasive and is able to establish and persist in harsh environments where other plants are limited. Kochia may be hard to control once it is established in an area. (contributed by Mary Ann Machi)

[Wikipedia] Eurasia native: Bassia scoparia is a large annual herb in the family Amaranthaceae (sensu lato) native to Eurasia. It has been introduced to many parts of North America,[1] where it is found in grassland, prairie, and desert shrub ecosystems.[2] Its common names include ragweed, summer cypress,[2] mock-cypress, kochia, belvedere, burningbush,[1] Mexican firebrush, and Mexican fireweed,[3] the provenance of the latter three names being the herb's red autumn foliage. (contributed by Mary Ann Machi)

[www.invasive.org/] Ecological Impacts: Ecological Impacts: Kochia is able to spread long distances very rapidly. It is a competitor for light, nutrients, and soil moisture, and can reduce crop yield. It can contaminate crops and suppress the growth of nearby plants by releasing chemicals into the soil. Additionally, kochia contains high levels of oxalates, alkaloids and nitrates that can be toxic to a variety of grazing animals if large amounts are consumed. (contributed by Mary Ann Machi)