Gutierrezia
sarothrae
(Pursh.) Britt. & Rusby.
By Michele Craig, Native Plants Class 2003
Common names: Broom snakeweed, stinkweed, broomweed, turpentine weed.
Family: Asteraceae
Synonymy: Gutierrezia linoides, G. linearifolia, G. lepidota, G. diversifolia. (2)
Etymology: Derives common names of turpentine and stink weed from the resinous, heavy odor. Broom weed refers to the fact that Indians use its stems for sweeping. Sheep bitten by snakes are treated by a poultice made of the leaves.
Identification
Growth form: Shrub, forb/herb, subshrub from 20-60 cm. high, has woody base with a highly branched crown (1,2)
Roots:
Stems: Highly branched.
Leaves: Narrow 2.5cm- 7.5cm long dotted with resinous glands. (1)
Inflorescence/flowers: Golden yellow flowers borne in numerous flat-topped clusters.
Fruit:
Similar Species:
Ecology
Life History: Long lived perennial.
Native/introduced: Native.
Photosynthetic pathway:
Phenology: Blooms from May to November.
Distribution: West to California, north to Canada, east to Kansas, south to Mexico in disturbed soils. 2,000 to 8,000 ft.
Uses
In New Mexico the plant is boiled and liquid is drunk for stomach disorders. A poultice of the leaves is used to treat sheep sith snake bites.
References
1. Elmore, Francis H., Shrubs and Trees of the Southwest Uplands, pp. 111
2. http://plants.usda.gov/ , November 27, 2003.
By Michele Craig, Native Plants Class 2003
Common names: Broom snakeweed, stinkweed, broomweed, turpentine weed.
Family: Asteraceae
Synonymy: Gutierrezia linoides, G. linearifolia, G. lepidota, G. diversifolia. (2)
Etymology: Derives common names of turpentine and stink weed from the resinous, heavy odor. Broom weed refers to the fact that Indians use its stems for sweeping. Sheep bitten by snakes are treated by a poultice made of the leaves.
Identification
Growth form: Shrub, forb/herb, subshrub from 20-60 cm. high, has woody base with a highly branched crown (1,2)
Roots:
Stems: Highly branched.
Leaves: Narrow 2.5cm- 7.5cm long dotted with resinous glands. (1)
Inflorescence/flowers: Golden yellow flowers borne in numerous flat-topped clusters.
Fruit:
Similar Species:
Ecology
Life History: Long lived perennial.
Native/introduced: Native.
Photosynthetic pathway:
Phenology: Blooms from May to November.
Distribution: West to California, north to Canada, east to Kansas, south to Mexico in disturbed soils. 2,000 to 8,000 ft.
Uses
In New Mexico the plant is boiled and liquid is drunk for stomach disorders. A poultice of the leaves is used to treat sheep sith snake bites.
References
1. Elmore, Francis H., Shrubs and Trees of the Southwest Uplands, pp. 111
2. http://plants.usda.gov/ , November 27, 2003.
