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Gutierrezia sarothrae

Common name:	Broomweed	Family:	Compositae
Author:	(Pursh.)Britton.& Rusby.	Botanical references:	200
Synonyms:	Gutierrezia juncea, Gutierrezia diversifolia (Greene.)
Known Hazards:	In large quantities this plant can be toxic to grazing animals, possibly due to the presence of saponins[212, 274].
Range:	Western N. America - Manitoba to Montana, south to Texas and California.
Habitat:	Dry soils of open areas, plains, valleys and foothills[212]. Open or disturbed sites in Texas, often on calcareous soils[274].
Edibility Rating (1-5):	0	Medicinal Rating (1-5):	2

Other Possible Synonyms:	From various places across the web, may not be correct. See below.
	G. lepidota[B,P] G. linearifolia[B,P] G. linearis[B,P] G. linoides[B,P] G. longipappa[B,P] G. pomariensis[B,P] G. sarothrae var. pomariensis[B,P] G. tenuis[B,P] Solidago sarothrae[B,G,P] Xanthocephalum sarothrae[B,G,P] Xanthocephalum sarothrae var. pomariense[B,P] Xanthocephalum tenue[B,P]
Other Common Names:	From various places around the Web, may not be correct. See below.
	Broom Snakeweed [FEIS,P], Escoba De La V& iacute bora [S], Escoba De La V& iacute bora, Snakebroom [S], Escoba De La Vibora, Snakeweed [S], Kindlingweed [B], Snakeweed [S],
Systematics:	From a USDA Plants Database
	Order: Asterales. Renamed to Asteraceae -- Aster family
Other Range Info:	From the Ethnobotany Database
	Us Us(Blackfoot) Usa
Noxious, Invasive and Injurious Weeds	From USDA PLANTS database, Weeds Australia , DEFRA Injurious Weeds
	Listed as noxious/invasive for: USA Invasive.

Physical Characteristics

A decidious shrub growing to 1m. It is hardy to zone 8. It is in flower from August to October. The scented flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Insects. We rate it 0/5 for edibility and 2/5 for medicinal use.

The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and requires well-drained soil. The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline soil. It cannot grow in the shade. It requires dry or moist soil.

Habitats and Possible Locations

Cultivated Beds.

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal Uses

Disclaimer

Antirheumatic Astringent Cancer Cathartic Diuretic Laxative Pectoral Sedative Skin Stings Stomachic.

Broomweed was widely employed medicinally by several native North American Indian tribes who used it to treat a variety of complaints[257]. It is little, if at all, used in modern herbalism.
A decoction of the roots has been used in the treatment of painful urination, diarrhoea and stomach aches[257]. The roots have been placed in boiling water and the steam inhaled in the treatment of respiratory complaints[257].
The flowers are laxative[257]. A decoction of the fresh flowers has been used in the treatment of diarrhoea[257].
The leaves are cathartic, febrifuge and sedative[257]. An infusion has been used in the treatment of coughs and colds[257]. It has also been used as a bath to treat fevers and sores, including those caused by venereal diseases[257]. A poultice of the moistened leaves has been used to treat bruises, wounds, sprains, nose bleeds and insect stings[257].
A protein in the plant is reported to have anti-cancer activity[274].
A strong, black infusion of the plant has been used as a rub on rheumatic joints[257].

Other Uses

Broom Dye Insecticide Kindling Soap.

The twigs are tied to sticks and used as brooms[61, 257, 274].
The dried twigs were used as a kindling for starting fires[274].
A yellow dye can be made from the plant tops[257].
An infusion of the leaves has been used as a pleasant and refreshing bath[257].
The chewed leaf juice has an intoxication effect on bees and can kill them[257].

Cultivation details

Requires a position in full sun in a deep open well-drained soil[200]. Often found in calcareous soils in the wild[274].
This species is not hardy in the colder areas of the country, it tolerates temperatures down to between -5 and -10° c[200]. Plants are sub-shrubs and may die back to the base in winter[200].
Plants have deep taproots and resent root disturbance[200]. They should be planted into their permanent positions as soon as possible.
Because it is unpalatable to livestock, this plant is often an indicator of overgrazed land[274].
Plants are strongly aromatic[200].

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse and only just cover the seed. Prick the plants out into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle, using deep pots to accommodate the tap root. Grow on for the first winter in a greenhouse and plant out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer[200].
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame.

Scent

Leaves: Crushed: The plants are strongly aromatic.

Suppliers

For more details of plant suppliers please see our Suppliers Page which lists many more places to look.

Web References

[E] Ethnobotany Data (common names, uses, countries) from the Ethnobotany Database.
[B] Data (Latin & Common names, other references) from the BONAP's Synonymized Checklist of the Vascular Flora of the United States, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.
[S] Image from the Southwest School of Botanical Medicine
[S] Image from the Southwest School of Botanical Medicine
[G] Data (Common Names, Uses, Distribution) from the USDA/ARS NPGS's GRIN taxonomic database.
[C] Taxon data. from the CalFlora database.
[P] Data. (uses, distribution, wetland) from the USDA'a Plants database.
[S] SW USA Dist. Maps from the Southwest School of Botanical Medicine
[HP] Links, Photos, Suppliers from Hortiplex Plant Database
[FEIS] Data (Uses, Ecology, Fire Effects) from the USDA Forestry Service Fire Effects Information System.

References for gutierrezia sarothrae (a possible synonym).

[HP] PhotoFrom Henriette's plant pictures

See the PFAF Links Pages for other sources.

Also try Photos and info from the The Plants Database which has 14,000 images.

References

[61] Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974 ISBN 0094579202
Forget the sexist title, this is one of the best books on the subject. Lists a very extensive range of useful plants from around the world with very brief details of the uses. Not for the casual reader.

[200] Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.

[212] Craighead. J., Craighead. F. and Davis. R. A Field Guide to Rocky Mountain Wildflowers The Riverside Press 1963 ISBN 63-7093
Excellent little pocket guide to the area, covering 590 species and often giving details of their uses.

[245] Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8
An excellent, comprehensive book on scented plants giving a few other plant uses and brief cultivation details. There are no illustrations.

[257] Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998 ISBN 0-88192-453-9
Very comprehensive but terse guide to the native uses of plants. Excellent bibliography, fully referenced to each plant, giving a pathway to further information. Not for the casual reader.

Readers Comments

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Plant information taken from the Plants For A Future - Species Database. Copyright (c) 1997-2003.
WEB search engine by Rich Morris - Home Page- Contact Info
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