# Spiny Goldenweed (*Xanthisma spinulosum*)

Spiny Goldenweed is a bright yellow flower that grows in sunny places. Its spiky leaves help it stand out in the wild, making it a special sight to see!

- **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Habitat:** Grasslands

![Spiny Goldenweed](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Xanthisma_spinulosum_8.jpg&width=800)

Photo: Stan Shebs, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Xanthisma_spinulosum_8.jpg)

## Appearance

The Spiny Goldenweed has numerous bright yellow, daisy-like flowers with many thin petals and a prominent gold center. Its stems are often branching, covered with narrow, linear leaves that have tiny, sharp spines along their edges, giving it a somewhat bushy appearance.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Plantae
- **Phylum:** Tracheophyta
- **Class:** Magnoliopsida
- **Order:** Asterales
- **Family:** Asteraceae
- **Genus:** Xanthisma

## Interesting facts

- After blooming, the plant produces fluffy seeds that parachute on the wind to find new homes!
- Even though it looks spiky, tiny ladybugs sometimes hide among its leaves to stay safe from predators.
- Its scientific name, Xanthisma, means "golden color" in Greek, perfectly describing its sunny flowers!
- Some call it "ironplant" because it can grow in tough, rocky soils where other plants can't survive!

## Special abilities

- **Spiny Defense:** Spiny Goldenweed has tiny sharp spines on its leaves that help it defend against hungry animals trying to munch on its green parts.
- **Sun Seeker Roots:** Spiny Goldenweed can grow deep roots that help it find water far underground, allowing it to survive in very dry, sunny places.
- **Golden Lure:** Spiny Goldenweed has bright yellow flowers that act like a beacon, attracting many different kinds of busy insects for pollination.

## Measurements & details

- **Height:** 10-60 cm
- **Spread:** 15-30 cm
- **Flower Size:** 1-3 cm
- **Bloom Season:** Summer to fall
- **Edible:** No
- **Toxicity:** None
- **Lifecycle:** Perennial
- **Pollination Method:** Insect

## Ecological connections

- **Pollinates:** Honey Bee (*Apis mellifera*) — gathers nectar and pollen from flowers
- **Pollinates:** [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) — collects pollen and nectar
- **Pollinates:** [Monarch Butterfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/monarch-butterfly) (*Danaus plexippus*) — feeds on nectar, aiding pollen transfer

## Traits

- [Ornamental](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/ornamental): Ornamental plants are cultivated primarily for their aesthetic appeal, enhancing landscapes and gardens with their attractive foliage, flowers, or form.
- [Summer Blooming](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/summer-blooming): Summer blooming plants produce their flowers during the summer season, often providing vibrant color when many other plants have finished.
- [Drought Tolerant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/drought-tolerant): Drought-tolerant plants can survive and flourish in conditions with limited water availability.
- [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals.
- [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.
- [Spiky/Thorny](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spiky-thorny): Possessing sharp, pointed projections or spines on the body or surface.

## Collections

- [Flowers](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/flowers)
- [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants)

## Safety

**Danger:** 1/5 · Very low

Always look but don't touch the plants unless an adult says it's okay.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Spiny Goldenweed?

Count the petals where you can, then compare the flower's center, its symmetry, how the blooms are grouped and the leaves below. Color varies between garden varieties and shifts with the light. Flower Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### How tall is Spiny Goldenweed?

10-60 cm

### How wide does Spiny Goldenweed spread?

15-30 cm

### How big are the flowers on Spiny Goldenweed?

1-3 cm

### When does Spiny Goldenweed bloom?

Summer to fall

### Is Spiny Goldenweed edible?

No

### Is Spiny Goldenweed toxic?

None

### What is Spiny Goldenweed's lifecycle?

Perennial

## Where to spot

- [Glenrio](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/glenrio) — Texas, US · Neighborhood

## More Plants

- [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*)
- [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*)
- [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*)
- [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*)

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Source: [Spiny Goldenweed: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spiny-goldenweed)