Names
Scientific Name: Gutierrezia microcephala
Synonym: Brachyris microcephala, Xantheocephalum lucidum
Common Names: Threadleaf snakeweed
Characteristics
Duration: Perennial
Growth Habit: Subshrub
Arizona Native Status: Native
Habitat: Desert grasslands and scrub
Flower Color: Yellow
Flowering Season: June to October
Height: 1 to 3 feet
Description: This small shrub may be as wide as 4 feet across with many spreaded branches giving it a rounded look. Threadleaf snakeweed’s leaves are 1 to 1.5 inches long. Each flower contains many florets with 5 ray flowers and 1 to 3 disc flowers.
Special Characteristics
Snakeweed offers little known benefit to wildlife, though it may provide some cover. This plant is poisonous to livestock and causes abortions in cattle when eaten.
Classification
Order: Asterales
Family: Asteraceae
SOURCES:
University of Austin, Lady Bird Johnson wildflower center: wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=GUMI
Carey, Jennifer H. 1994. Gutierrezia microcephala. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/ [2014,
