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Broomweed (common)
Sunflower Family : Asteraceae
Latin Name : Amphiachyris dracunculoides
(synonym: Xanthocephalum draunculoides)
(synonym: Gutierrezia draunculoides)
Longevity : Annual
Season : Cool
Origin : Native
Value : Wildlife – good (cover)
Livestock – poor (Toxic)
Remarks :
Also known as, " Prairie broomweed". Adapted
to sandy, clayey, gravelly or rocky soils in disturbed or
overgrazed areas and along roadsides. Flowers September to
December. This plant is one of the predominant flowers of
fall, often being quite conspicuous as it covers acres of overgrazed
pasture and rangeland. More commonly reflects wet
autumns and wet winters. At the time of blooming almost all
the leaves have dropped from the plant, leaving the stalk and
branches bare except for the small yellow flowers. Common
broomweed is toxic to livestock and may cause an inflammation
of the eyes in both man and livestock. Early settlers
gathered these plants, tied them together on a stick and used
them as a broom, hence the common name. This plant will
provide good cover for ground nesting birds during the
bloom stage.
Source: USDA-NRCS
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