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

The seed of Bassia scoparia is dispersed by wind, water, and especially by the whole plant detaching and tumbling in the wind (see Tumbleweed).
From the fruits of Kochia scoparia (L.) Schrad, five triterpenoid glycosides were isolated for the first time from this plant. They were elucidated as momordin Ic, the 6'-methyl ester of momordin Ic, momordin IIc, 2'-O-beta-D-glucopyranosylmomordin Ic, and 2'-O-beta-D-glucopyranosylmomordin IIc on the basis of spectral and chemical methods. The last two saponins are new natural products.