Baccharis sarothroides

Common Name: Desert Broom, Seep Willow
O’odham Name: Shu:shk wakck Audio
Group: Shrubs - Desert, Desert Grassland

Description

Baccharis sarothroides is a rapidly growing desert shrub that grows in various habitats ranging from rocky slopes to disturbed flats, where it may reach 10 ft tall and wide. It is often seen colonizing a cleared area or a roadside. In December, each plant liberates millions of cotton-like seeds that may be seen floating in the air. It grows between 1000 and 5500 ft.

Classification

Kingdom Plantae – Plants
Subkingdom Tracheobionta – Vascular plants
Superdivision Spermatophyta – Seed plants
Division Magnoliophyta – Flowering plants
Class Magnoliopsida – Dicotyledons
Subclass Asteridae
Order Asterales
Family Asteraceae – Aster family
Genus Baccharis L. – baccharis
Species Baccharis sarothroides A. Gray – desertbroom

More Information

Arizona Distribution Map (USDA)