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Xanthocephalum gymnospermoides
Xanthocephalum gymnospermoides (A. Gray) Benth. & Hook. f.
Gummy Broomweed, San Pedro Matchweed, Gummy Snakeweed
Asteraceae (Aster Family)
Synonym(s): Grindelia gymnospermoides, Gutierrezia gymnospermoides
USDA Symbol: XAGY
USDA Native Status: L48 (N)
Gummy Broomweed grows 2-5 feet tall, with several branches in the upper section. It has a sticky, gummy secretion on the bright golden flower heads, sometimes completely covering the large center, which is 3/8 inch across. The ray flowers are short, only 1/8 inch long. There are about 20 flower heads to a stem, and they are quite showy when growing in dense masses.
The stems are often used to kindle fires because of the resin they contain.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: AnnualHabit: Herb
Size Notes: Up to about 5 feet tall.
Fruit: Fruit is a cypsela (pl. cypselae). Though technically incorrect, the fruit is often referred to as an achene.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: YellowBloom Time: Jul , Aug , Sep , Oct
Distribution
USA: AZ , TXBenefit
Conspicuous Flowers: yesDeer Resistant: High
National Wetland Indicator Status
Region: | AGCP | AK | AW | CB | EMP | GP | HI | MW | NCNE | WMVE |
Status: | FAC |
Wildflower Center Seed Bank
LBJWC-1136 Collected 2007-10-18 in Jeff Davis County by Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower CenterBibliography
Bibref 248 - Texas Wildflowers: A Field Guide (1984) Loughmiller, C. & L. LoughmillerSearch More Titles in Bibliography
Web Reference
Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter
Additional resources
USDA: Find Xanthocephalum gymnospermoides in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Xanthocephalum gymnospermoides in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Xanthocephalum gymnospermoides
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-01-30Research By: TWC Staff