Broomweed

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Broomweed habit

Broomweed bark

Broomweed habit

Broomweed heads

Broomweed inflorescence

Broomweed

Broomweed

Broomweed

Broomweed

Broomweed habit

Broomweed habit

Broomweed

Broomweed

Broomweed

Broomweed

Broomweed

Broomweed

Broomweed flowers

Broomweed in winter

Broomweed habit

Broomweed

Broomweed in winter

Broomweed habit

Morphology

Stem

Solitary, 1/5 to 4/5 in diameter, upper 1/2 of stem bushy-branched.

Leaves

Alternate, numerous, linear or linear-lanceolate, .2 to 2.4 inches long, less than 1/4 inch wide, margins entire, glandular-dotted or somewhat sticky.

Inflorescence

Corymbs of numerous heads, terminal.

Flower

Involucre 1/8 to 1/5 inch tall; involucral bracts overlapping, shiny; ray florets 6-10, ligule 1/6 to 1/4 inch long, yellow; disk florets 10-25, corolla yellow, staminate only, infertile.

Fruit

Ray achenes less than 1/12 inch long, purplish-black with 7-9 narrow greenish stripes, finely pubescent, pappus absent or a minute crown; disk achenes sterile, pappus of 5 or more awns united basally.

Ecology

Habitat

Open upland sites, disturbed or overgrazed areas and roadsides; dry, calcareous, clay or sandy soils.

Distribution

Occurs primarily in southern and central Kansas.

Practical Information

Toxicity

Known to cause eye inflamation in humans and livestock.

Uses

Pioneers tied bundles of dried plants to sticks for use as brooms. This weedy plant spreads rapidly in overgrazed areas, because it is unpalatable to livestock and withstands drought well.

Additional Notes

Synonyms

Alternative scientific names that have been used for this plant.