SafePlants

Bassia hirsuta: Hairy Smotherweed

Bassia hirsuta, commonly known as Hairy Smotherweed or Hairy Sea-blite, is an intriguing plant with a notable presence in specific environments. This page provides details about its scientific classification, distribution, and ecological role.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Bassia hirsuta (L.) Asch.
• Common Names: Hairy Smotherweed, Hairy Sea-blite
• Family: Chenopodiaceae (mentioned as part of the Goosefoots, Amaranths & Allies group, now often included in Amaranthaceae)
• Kingdom: Plantae
• Rank: Species
• Synonyms: Kochia hirsuta (mentioned as a translation reference)

Distribution and Habitat

• Hairy Smotherweed is a non-native plant originating from Eurasia.
• It is found along the northeast Atlantic coast.
• Specifically, it inhabits salt marshes and sea beaches.
• Observed locations include Worcester County, Maryland (USA).
• Its presence has been noted in Maine (ME), New Hampshire (NH), and Massachusetts (MA).
• Also found in Southern Europe and Southern Siberia.

Ecological Role

• The text indicates that Bassia hirsuta has been introduced to the Americas.
• It is mentioned as non-native, and introduced smotherweed, indicating a potentially invasive role in some regions.

Morphological Characteristics

• One source mentions "long-hairy foliage" in relation to similar species, possibly suggesting this characteristic is shared by B. hirsuta.
• The plant is often found with *Suaeda marittima* and the French Tamarisk (*Tamarix gallica*) where it grows.

Genetic Information

• One source indicates that *BASSIA CRASSIFOLIA* has a chromosome number of 2n = 18. Since *BASSIA CRASSIFOLIA* is not the same species, it is included here for informational purposes only.

Interactions with Other Organisms

• The plant coexists with various migratory birds.