Gutierrezia sarothrae
(Broom Snakeweed)
Gutierrezia sarothrae, Colorado National Monument, Mesa Co. 4223
Gutierrezia sarothrae, Colorado National Monument, Mesa Co. 4231
Gutierrezia sarothrae, Colorado National Monument, Mesa Co. 4211
Gutierrezia sarothrae, Colorado National Monument, Mesa Co. 4222
Gutierrezia sarothrae, Colorado National Monument, Mesa Co. 4234
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