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Anderson, Wynn

Gutierrezia microcephala

Gutierrezia microcephala (DC.) A. Gray

Threadleaf Snakeweed, Threadleaf Broomweed, Smallhead Snakeweed, Littlehead Snakeweed

Asteraceae (Aster Family)

Synonym(s): Brachyris microcephala, Gutierrezia glomerella, Gutierrezia lucida, Gutierrezia sarothrae var. microcephala, Xanthocephalum lucidum, Xanthocephalum microcephalum

USDA Symbol: GUMI

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

Threadleaf Broomweed is a woody plant, 1-3+ feet tall, with many branches, especially in the upper part. It is sometimes 3-4 feet across the top of the spreading branches, which give the plant a somewhat rounded appearance. The narrow leaves are 1/2 to 1-1/2 inches long, alternate, with bunches of smaller, narrower leaves in their axils. There are many florets in each of the flower heads, which are located at the tips of the branches. They are yellow, 1/4 inch across, with 5 ray flowers and 1-3 disc flowers.

From the Image Gallery

10 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Subshrub
Size Notes: Up to about 4-1/2 feet tall, often shorter.
Fruit: Fruit is a cypsela (pl. cypselae). Though technically incorrect, the fruit is often referred to as an achene.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Yellow
Bloom Time: Jan , Feb , Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep , Oct , Nov , Dec

Distribution

USA: AZ , CA , CO , NM , NV , TX , UT

Find Seed or Plants

Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR

Bibliography

Bibref 248 - Texas Wildflowers: A Field Guide (1984) Loughmiller, C. & L. Loughmiller

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Web Reference

Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.

Additional resources

USDA: Find Gutierrezia microcephala in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Gutierrezia microcephala in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Gutierrezia microcephala

Metadata

Record Modified: 2022-12-27
Research By: TWC Staff

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