Plants Active during the day

Broom Snakeweed

Gutierrezia sarothrae

iNaturalist Wikipedia

A hardy, golden-flowered subshrub that defines the rugged beauty of the American West. Broom Snakeweed provides a vital autumn feast for pollinators while thriving in the harshest desert soils.

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Quick Identification

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Size

20–90 cm (8–35 in) tall with a similar spread

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Colors

Bright golden-yellow flower heads; light green to tan-brown woody stems; dark green linear leaves

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Key Features

Rounded, bushy subshrub with a woody base
Densely packed clusters of tiny yellow flowers at branch tips
Resinous, sticky leaves that feel slightly tacky to the touch
Broom-like appearance with many thin, upright stems

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern Active during the day

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Peak hours 9 AM - 5 PM

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Season August-October

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Diet As a photosynthetic plant, it creates energy from sunlight, CO2, and water. It thrives in nutrient-poor, well-drained sandy or rocky soils.

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Habitat Arid grasslands, desert scrub, rocky slopes, and disturbed rangelands.

public Geographic range

Where Does the Broom Snakeweed Live?

Broom Snakeweed is a hallmark of the vast landscapes of Western North America. Its native territory stretches from the prairie provinces of western Canada, such as Alberta and Saskatchewan, southward through the Great Plains and the Intermountain West of the United States. Its range extends deep into northern Mexico, where it is a common sight across the Chihuahuan, Sonoran, and Mojave deserts, often dominating sun-drenched, open terrain.

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3 Countries

4.2M km² Range

Least Concern Conservation

US United States MX Mexico CA Canada

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iNaturalist / Verified observation data

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Behavior

Broom Snakeweed is a resilient perennial subshrub that plays a complex role in its ecosystem. While it remains stationary, it is known for its aggressive growth in disturbed or overgrazed lands, often acting as a pioneer species that stabilizes soil where other plants struggle. It is highly drought-tolerant, utilizing a deep taproot to survive in arid conditions where annual rainfall is minimal.

During the late summer and autumn, the plant undergoes a dramatic transformation, covering itself in a dense mantle of small yellow blooms. This flowering period is a hive of activity, as the plant serves as a critical late-season food source for various native bees, butterflies, and beetles. Despite its beauty, the plant produces saponins and terpenes, which serve as a chemical defense mechanism, making it unpalatable and potentially toxic to livestock like cattle and sheep.

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Camera Tips

To capture the best images of Broom Snakeweed, you should focus on its spectacular late-season blooming phase. Set your camera at a low height, approximately 12 to 18 inches from the ground, and angle it slightly upward. This perspective emphasizes the plant's unique 'broom' structure and makes the golden flower clusters pop against the blue sky. Because the plant is stationary, use your camera’s time-lapse feature. Setting an interval of one photo every 20 minutes during the month of September will allow you to create a stunning video showing the transition from green buds to a full golden mound.

If you are interested in the 'wildlife' aspect of this plant, focus on its role as a pollinator magnet. Position your camera about 2 feet away from a healthy, blooming specimen. Use a high-speed trigger setting to capture the rapid movements of visiting butterflies, such as the Common Checkered-Skipper, or native plasterer bees. The resinous leaves can be quite reflective, so try to position the camera so the sun is at a 45-degree angle to the plant; this avoids harsh glares while highlighting the sticky texture of the foliage.

For backyard enthusiasts in arid regions, Broom Snakeweed provides an excellent backdrop for ground-dwelling animals. Small mammals like desert cottontails or ground squirrels often use the dense, woody base for cover. Placing a camera near a stand of Snakeweed during the early morning (6-9 AM) can capture these animals as they emerge from the shrub's protection. Ensure your camera's white balance is set to 'Daylight' to accurately capture the vivid saturation of the yellow flowers, which can sometimes look washed out under 'Auto' settings.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Broom Snakeweed.

Rubber Rabbitbrush

Grows much larger and taller, with felt-like hairs on the stems and a stronger, spicy odor.

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Frequently Asked Questions

The flowers are most 'active' in terms of nectar production and pollinator visits during the warmest part of the day, typically between 10 AM and 4 PM, when the sun is high and bees are most mobile.

This plant prefers 'benign neglect.' It requires full sun and very well-drained, even poor-quality soil. Avoid overwatering or fertilizing, as this can actually harm the plant's natural growth habit.

As a plant, it doesn't 'eat' in the traditional sense; it uses photosynthesis to turn sunlight into energy. It draws essential minerals and moisture from the soil through a specialized deep taproot system.

They are very common in suburban areas of the Southwest and Intermountain West, particularly in newer developments or properties that border natural desert or prairie landscapes.

While both have yellow flowers, Broom Snakeweed is much shorter (usually under 3 feet) and has very narrow, linear leaves, whereas Rabbitbrush is taller, more felt-like, and has wider, grayish-green leaves.

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