Gutierrezia sarothrae

(Broom Snakeweed)

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Gutierrezia sarothrae, Colorado National Monument, Mesa Co. 4223

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Gutierrezia sarothrae, Colorado National Monument, Mesa Co. 4231

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Gutierrezia sarothrae, Colorado National Monument, Mesa Co. 4211

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Gutierrezia sarothrae, Colorado National Monument, Mesa Co. 4222

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Gutierrezia sarothrae, Colorado National Monument, Mesa Co. 4234

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Gutierrezia sarothrae, Colorado National Monument, Mesa Co. 4278

Scientific Name Gutierrezia sarothrae USDA PLANTS Symbol GUSA2
Common Name Broom Snakeweed ITIS Taxonomic Serial No. 37483
Family Asteraceae (Sunflower) SEINet
Reference
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Description Life zones and habitat: Plains to montane (3500 to 9500 ft.); Dry soils in open areas; common in sagebrush-grassland, pinyon-juniper, and desert shrub communities.
Plant: Perennial subshrub, 4 to 24 inches tall; multiple, leaning stems giving a rounded symmetrical crown densely covered with small bright yellow flowers.
Leaves: Alternate stem leaves, linear to lanceolate, sometimes filiform, less than 1.2 inches long and 0.1-inch wide; lower leaves absent at flowering.
Inflorescence: Dense, flat-topped panicles of small composite flowers about 0.5-inch across; 3 to 8 yellow ray florets and 3 to 9 yellow disk florets in the center; involucres are cylindrical to bell-shaped with whitish overlapping phyllaries with green tips.
Bloom Period: July to October.
References: "Flora of Colorado" by Jennifer Ackerfield, SW Colorado Wildflowers and SEINet
BONAP Distribution Map


Map Color Key
Colorado Status:
Native

© Tom Lebsack 2024

Banner photo: Castilleja rhexifolia and a brewing storm over the San Juan Mountains