Practical
Plants

Gutierrezia sarothrae

Broomweed

a perennial woody deciduous member of the Gutierrezia genus in the family Compositae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
deciduous
Woodiness
woody
Height
1 m
Fertility
Insects
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Insects

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

In large quantities this plant can be toxic to grazing animals, possibly due to the presence of saponins[2][4].

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Broomweed was widely employed medicinally by several native North American Indian tribes who used it to treat a variety of complaints[3]. 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[3]. The roots have been placed in boiling water and the steam inhaled in the treatment of respiratory complaints[3]. The flowers are laxative[3]. A decoction of the fresh flowers has been used in the treatment of diarrhoea[3]. The leaves are cathartic, febrifuge and sedative[3]. An infusion has been used in the treatment of coughs and colds[3]. It has also been used as a bath to treat fevers and sores, including those caused by venereal diseases[3]. A poultice of the moistened leaves has been used to treat bruises, wounds, sprains, nose bleeds and insect stings[3]. A protein in the plant is reported to have anti-cancer activity[4]. A strong, black infusion of the plant has been used as a rub on rheumatic joints[3].

Product or use
Antirheumatic
Product or use
Astringent
Product or use
Cathartic
Product or use
Diuretic
Product or use
Laxative
Product or use
Pectoral
Product or use
Sedative
Product or use
Skin
Product or use
Stings
Product or use
Stomachic
Product or use
Cancer

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The twigs are tied to sticks and used as brooms[5][3][4]. The dried twigs were used as a kindling for starting fires[4]. A yellow dye can be made from the plant tops[3]. An infusion of the leaves has been used as a pleasant and refreshing bath[3]. The chewed leaf juice has an intoxication effect on bees and can kill them[3].

Product or use
Broom
Product or use
Dye
Product or use
Insecticide
Product or use
Soap
Product or use
Kindling

Environment

Range
Western N. America - Manitoba to Montana, south to Texas and California.
Habitat
Dry soils of open areas, plains, valleys and foothills[2]. Open or disturbed sites in Texas, often on calcareous soils[4].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 8+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline, very alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

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[1]. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Requires a position in full sun in a deep open well-drained soil[1]. Often found in calcareous soils in the wild[4]. This species is not hardy in the colder areas of the country, it tolerates temperatures down to between -5 and -10°c[1]. Plants are sub-shrubs and may die back to the base in winter[1]. Plants have deep taproots and resent root disturbance[1]. 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[4]. Plants are strongly aromatic[1].

References

  1. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

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  2. Craighead. J., Craighead. F. and Davis. R. A Field Guide to Rocky Mountain Wildflowers The Riverside Press 1963-00-00 ISBN 63-7093

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  3. Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9

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  4. Diggs, Jnr. G.M.; Lipscomb. B. L. & O'Kennon. R. J Illustrated Flora of North Central Texas Botanical Research Institute, Texas. 1999-00-00 http://artemis.austincollege.edu/acad/bio/gdiggs/NCTXpdf.htm

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7

  5. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

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