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Broom Snakeweed (Gutierrezia sarothrae): Toxicology, Ecology, Control, and Management

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 January 2017

Michael H. Ralphs  and
Kirk C. McDaniel
Michael H. Ralphs*
Affiliation:
USDA/ARS Poisonous Plant Lab, Logan UT 84341
Kirk C. McDaniel
Affiliation:
Animal and Range Science Department, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces NM 88003
*
Corresponding author's E-mail: Michael.Ralphs@ars.usda.gov
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Abstract

Broom snakeweed is a native weed widely distributed on rangelands of western North America. It often increases to near monocultures following disturbance from overgrazing, fire, or drought. This paper presents an up-to-date review of broom snakeweed toxicology, seed ecology, population cycles, succession, and management. The greatest ecological concern is that broom snakeweed displaces desirable forage for livestock or wildlife and greatly reduces biodiversity. It also is toxic and can cause abortions in all species of livestock. Propagation usually is pulse-driven in wet years, allowing large expanses of even-aged stands to establish and dominate plant communities. Snakeweed can be controlled by prescribed burning or spraying with herbicides. A weed-resistant plant community dominated by competitive grasses can prevent or minimize its reinvasion.

Keywords

Broom snakeweed, Gutierrezia sarothrae (Pursh) Britton & Rusby GUESAInvasive weedpoisonous plantseed ecologypopulation cyclesstate-and-transition model
Type
Research
Information
Invasive Plant Science and Management , Volume 4 , Issue 1 , March 2011 , pp. 125 - 132
Copyright
Copyright © Weed Science Society of America 

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References

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