Broom snakeweed

Gutierrezia sarothrae

Formerly Xanthocephalum sarothrae. Mounded woody evergreen subshrub up to 3 ft. tall with clusters of small golden yellow flowers, blooming June to November. Adapted to a wide range of soils within deserts, grasslands, shrublands and wooded areas; up to 10,000 ft. elevation. Native but aggressive, especially on overgrazed and disturbed sites. Toxic to sheep and cattle, particularly during pregnancy. Preferred browse of pronghorn antelope in spring and summer. Major summer and winter food source for black-tailed jackrabbits. Seeds are eaten by a wide variety of small birds and mammals. Pollinated by various insects and is the caterpillar host of Yellow spragueia moth.