Field of kochia plants, China
© lingqi xie/Getty Image
Field of kochia plants, China
In today's image, kochia plants spread across the landscape in China in shades of green and deep red. Native to parts of Eurasia, kochia was introduced to the United States in the late 1800s as an ornamental plant and a source of material for broom making. Its ability to withstand drought, heat, saline soils and low rainfall helped it spread across the Great Plains and much of the American West.
Growing quickly from seed, a single plant can reach more than one metre tall in one season and produce thousands of seeds. Young plants have been used as forage for livestock, particularly in dry regions where other vegetation is scarce. While admired for its striking colours and resilience, kochia is also known to farmers as a hardy weed that can be difficult to control. From American prairies to the vibrant fields seen here in China, it remains a remarkable example of nature's adaptability.
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