Bassia scoparia (L.) Voss (syn.: Kochia scoparia (L.) Schrad.) (Russia, temp. As.) – A rather common and probably increasing alien. Already recorded in the first half of the 19th century (without further details). A frequent but ephemeral wool alien in the valley of river Vesdre between 1895 and 1959. Furthermore recorded from numerous, widely scattered locations. Most often seen in ruderal habitats in or near port areas (especially Antwerpen) and remarkably often on dumps. In more recent times chiefly associated with grain importation and now a common alien in ports, on unloading quays, by road verges and railway tracks or on wasteland. Although sometimes quite abundant Bassia scoparia usually remains ephemeral. However, it has become naturalised at some locations, for instance on a disused railway yard in Izegem (now partly demolished) or in parts of the port area of Gent. It rapidly spreads in open, bare areas as a tumbleweed.
In some European countries Bassia scoparia is fast spreading along motorways (especially in the central reservation, along with other salt-tolerant xenophytes; Cook 1996, Kirby & Eades 1996). It should be looked for in similar habitats in Belgium as well.
Bassia scoparia is an exceedingly variable species. The usual alien in Belgium seems to be var. subvillosa (Moq.) Lambinon (syn.: B. scoparia subsp. densiflora (Turcz. ex B.D. Jackson) Cirujano et Velayos, Kochia scoparia subsp. densiflora (Turcz. ex B.D. Jackson) Aell., K. densiflora Turcz.). A horticultural plant, var. culta Voss (syn.: Kochia scoparia f. trichophylla (Schmeiss) Schinz et Thell., K. trichophylla Schinz et Thell.) is sometimes cultivated (perhaps less so in recent times) and was rarely found on dumps, for instance in Sclessin (Liège) in 1943. The delimitation of infraspecific taxa within Bassia scoparia is often critical and their taxonomic value is very questionable (see also Gudžinskas & Sukhorukov 2004).
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References:
Cirujano S. & Velayos M. (1987) Notas acerca de algunas “Bassia” Ibéricas. An. Jard. Bot. Madrid 44(2): 576-578.
Cook P.J. (1996) Summer Cypress (Bassia scoparia) on Yorkshire roadsides. BSBI News 74: 48-49.
Cook P.J. (1998) Bassia scoparia in V.C. 28, 53 and 54, a possible connection with east coast ports. BSBI News 78: 63.
Eades R.A. (1996) The wind as a factor in the spread of Bassia scoparia. BSBI News 74: 49.
Eades R. (1997) Has Bassia scoparia reached London? BSBI News 77: 52-53.
Gudžinskas Z. & Sukhorukov A.P. (2004) New and critical Chenopodiaceae taxa in Lithuania and Kaliningrad region. Botanica Lithuanica 10(1): 3-12.
Kirby P.R. & Eades R.A. (1996) Spread of summer cypress (Bassia scoparia) along road verges in North Lincolnshire. BSBI News 74: 50.