Broom snakeweed sweeps the country side!

Broom snakeweed (Gutierrezia sarothrae) is a bright golden flower in the Aster family and
blooms May-October. It’s found on most western landscapes and is a hardy low-growing shrub
with resinous twigs. Bundles of the woody twigs have been used as brooms giving this common
plant its name.

The plant is strongly aromatic and includes some organic compounds that are poisonous to
grazing sheep and cattle. It has therefore been associated with landscapes that are overgrazed
since it’s the only thing left when these domestic ungulates have eaten everything else.
Interestingly, this is in contrast to wild ungulates such as mule deer, elk and pronghorns who
often eat this plant. Pronghorns are particularly partial to Broom snakeweed which can
comprise up to 30% of their diet! Broom snakeweed is also the host plant for native moth and
butterfly species.

This plant was most recently observed on iNaturalist just 9 days ago in the Apache-Sitgreaves
National Forest! It’s blooming right now, so get out there and record some observations!

Publicado el octubre 9, 2020 06:41 TARDE por azscurfpea