Desert Broom
ExplorePlants
Desert Broom
Baccharis sarothroides
Desert Broom is a bushy plant that grows in dry places like deserts. It has long, thin branches and tiny yellow flowers that look like little stars in the sand.
Habitat: Desert
Appearance
The Desert Broom is a tall, upright evergreen shrub with many slender, green, rush-like branches that give it a "broom-like" appearance. It has tiny, scale-like leaves and produces clusters of small, fuzzy white flowers in the fall, making the plant look like it's covered in cotton.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderAsteralesFamilyAsteraceaeGenusBaccharis
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Even in winter, its bright green stems stand out in the muted desert.
Its stiff branches were traditionally tied together to make brooms!
Some parts of the plant were once used by Native Americans for medicine.
The fluffy white seeds look like tiny parachutes, floating far on the wind!
Special abilities
Ability
Water Wizard Roots
Desert Broom can grow deep taproots to reach precious water far underground, helping it survive long droughts.
Ability
Green Power Stems
Desert Broom has green stems that do most of the photosynthesis, letting it shed tiny leaves to save water.
Ability
Rapid Sprout
Desert Broom can quickly sprout new branches from its base, even after fires, helping it recover fast.
Ability
Desert Pioneer
Desert Broom can quickly colonize disturbed areas like roadsides and washes, helping new plant life begin.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 180-360 cm
- Spread
- 150-300 cm
- Bloom Season
- Fall
- Edible
- No
- Toxicity
- Mild
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Pollination Method
- Wind
Ecological connections
eaten by
Mule Deer
Odocoileus hemionus
Deer browse on its stems and leaves, especially in winter.
eaten by
Bighorn Sheep
Ovis canadensis
Bighorn sheep forage on this shrub in arid mountain ranges.
shelters
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Gambel's Quail
Callipepla gambelii
Quails hide from predators and rest within its dense branches.
eaten by
Black-tailed Jackrabbit
Lepus californicus
Jackrabbits feed on the shoots and young branches.
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.
Evergreen
Evergreen plants retain their foliage throughout the year, never shedding all their leaves at once.
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.
Rapid Growing
Rapid growing plants exhibit accelerated growth rates, quickly increasing in size and biomass within a short period.
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 Desert Broom?
180-360 cm
How wide does Desert Broom spread?
150-300 cm
When does Desert Broom bloom?
Fall
Is Desert Broom edible?
No
Is Desert Broom toxic?
Mild
What is Desert Broom's lifecycle?
Perennial
How is Desert Broom pollinated?
Wind
Where is Desert Broom usually found?
Desert
Snap Map
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