Broom Snakeweed
ExplorePlants
Broom Snakeweed
Gutierrezia sarothrae
Broom Snakeweed is a tall plant with thin, green stems and small yellow flowers. It grows in dry places and is important for helping the soil stay healthy.
Habitat: Desert
Appearance
The Broom Snakeweed is a bushy plant with many slender, broom-like green stems. It explodes with a dense cluster of tiny, bright yellow, daisy-like flowers, creating a golden blanket over dry landscapes in late summer and fall.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderAsteralesFamilyAsteraceaeGenusGutierrezia
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Called 'turpentine weed' for its strong, resinous smell when its leaves are crushed!
Its tiny yellow flowers are packed tightly, forming a brilliant golden display in dry landscapes!
Scientists study its unique chemicals for new medicines or pest control!
Tough Broom Snakeweed improves rocky soil, making it easier for other plants to grow!
Special abilities
Ability
Deep Thirst-Quencher
Broom Snakeweed has a long taproot that can reach deep into the soil to find water, helping it survive in very dry places.
Ability
Bitter Bodyguard
Broom Snakeweed produces special chemicals that taste bad or are toxic to many animals, protecting it from being eaten.
Ability
Soil Anchor
This plant has a strong root system that helps hold loose soil in place, preventing it from being washed or blown away.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 30-100 cm
- Spread
- 30-60 cm
- Flower Size
- 0.2-0.5 cm
- Bloom Season
- Late summer to fall
- Edible
- No
- Toxicity
- High
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Pollination Method
- Insect
Ecological connections
pollinates
Honey Bee
Apis mellifera
Visits flowers for nectar and pollen.
pollinates
Western Bumblebee
Bombus occidentalis
Important native pollinator for its flowers.
pollinates
Pahaska Skipper
Hesperia pahaska
Butterfly visits flowers for nectar.
Traits
Flowering
Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.
Shrub
A shrub is a woody plant smaller than a tree, typically with multiple stems branching from or near the ground.
Summer Blooming
Summer blooming plants produce their flowers during the summer season, often providing vibrant color when many other plants have finished.
Medicinal
Medicinal plants possess chemical compounds that can be used for therapeutic purposes to treat illnesses or maintain health.
Drought Tolerant
Drought-tolerant plants can survive and flourish in conditions with limited water availability.
Pollinator Magnet
Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.
Desert
Desert habitats are arid regions characterized by extremely low precipitation and often extreme temperatures, supporting specialized flora and fauna.
Keystone Species
Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Always look but don't touch plants without asking an adult, as some can be prickly.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Broom Snakeweed?
30-100 cm
How wide does Broom Snakeweed spread?
30-60 cm
How big are the flowers on Broom Snakeweed?
0.2-0.5 cm
When does Broom Snakeweed bloom?
Late summer to fall
Is Broom Snakeweed edible?
No
Is Broom Snakeweed toxic?
High
What is Broom Snakeweed's lifecycle?
Perennial
How is Broom Snakeweed pollinated?
Insect
Snap Map
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