Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-fbnjt Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-10T11:48:54.941Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

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
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

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 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Literature Cited

Allison, C. D. 1989. Influence of livestock grazing on broom snakeweed populations. Pages 141–146. In Huddleston, E. W. and Pieper, R. D. eds. Snakeweed: Problems and Perspectives. N. M. Agric. Exp. Stn. Bull. 751.Google Scholar
Arnold, J. F., Jameson, D. A., and Reid, E. H. 1964. The pinyon–juniper type of Arizona: effects of grazing fire and tree control. Pages 28 p. USDA/FS Prod. Res. Rep 84.Google Scholar
Barney, M. A. and Frischknecht, N. C. 1974. Vegetation changes following fire in the pinyon–juniper type of west-central Utah. J. Range Manag 24:91–96.Google Scholar
Beck, R. F., McNeeley, R. P., and Muir, S. J. 1996. Effects of goats and drought on snakeweed. Abstracts, 49th Annual Meeting, Society for Range Management, Wichita KS. Wheat Ridge, CO Society for Range Management. 7.Google Scholar
Beck, R. F., Nsinamwa, M., Santos, R., and Pieper, R. D. 1999. Dynamics of Gutierrezia sarothrae with drought and grazing. Pages 502–503. In Eldridge, D. and Freudenberger, D. eds. Proceedings of the VI International Rangeland Congress, Townsville, Queensland Australia. Aitkanville, Queensland, Australia VI International Rangeland Congress.Google Scholar
Briske, D. D., Bestelmeyer, B. T., Stringham, T. K., and Shaver, P. L. 2008. Recommendations for development of resilience-based state-and-transition models. Range Ecol. Manag 61:359–367.Google Scholar
Campbell, R. S. and Bomberger, E. H. 1934. The occurrence of Gutierrezia sarothrae on Bouteloua eriopda range in southern New Mexico. Ecology 15:49–51.Google Scholar
Cedarleaf, J. D., Welch, B. L., and Brotherson, J. D. 1983. Seasonal variation of monoterpenoids in big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata). J. Range Manag 36:492–494.Google Scholar
Chew, R. M. 1982. Changes in herbaceous and suffrutescent perennials in grazed and ungrazed desertified grassland in south-eastern Arizona USA, 1958–1978. Am. Midl. Nat 108:159–169.Google Scholar
Christensen, E. M. 1964a. Changes in composition of Bromus tectorum–Sporabolus cryptandus–Aristida longiseta community following fire. Utah Acad. Sci. Proc 41:53–57.Google Scholar
Christensen, E. M. 1964b. The foothill bunchgrass vegetation of central Utah. Ecology 44:156–158.Google Scholar
Costello, D. F. and Turner, G. T. 1941. Vegetation changes following exclusion of livestock from grazed ranges. J. For 39:310–314.Google Scholar
Davis, M. A., Grime, J. P., and Thompson, K. 2000. Fluctuating resources in plant communities: a general theory of invasibility. J. Ecol 88:528–534.Google Scholar
Dayton, W. A. 1931. Important Western Browse Plants. Pages 163 p. USDA Misc. Publ. 101.Google Scholar
DePuit, E. J. and Caldwell, M. M. 1975. Stem and leaf gas exchange of two arid land shrubs. Am. J. Bot 62:954–961.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Dittberner, D. L. 1971. A demographic study of some semi-desert grassland plants. Pages 81 p. M.S. thesis, Las Cruces NM: New Mexico State University.Google Scholar
Dollahite, J. W. and Anthony, W. V. 1957. Poisoning of cattle with Gutierrezia microcephala, a perennial broomweed. J. Am. Vet. Med. Assoc 130:525–530.Google Scholar
Dollahite, J. W., Shaver, T., and Camp, B. J. 1962. Injected saponins as abortifacient. J. Am. Vet Res 23:1261–1263.Google Scholar
Dwyer, D. D. 1967. Fertilization and burning of blue grama grass. J. Anim. Sci 26:943. [Abstract].Google Scholar
Edrington, T. S., Smith, G. S., Ross, T. T., Hallford, D. M., Samford, M. D., and Thilsted, J. P. 1993. Embryonic mortality in Sprague-Dawley rats induced by snakeweed (Gutierrezia microcephala). J. Anim. Sci 71:2193–2198.Google Scholar
Gardner, D. R., James, L. F., Panter, K. E., Ralphs, M. H., and Stegelmeier, B. L. 1999. Ponderosa pine and broom snakeweed: poisonous plants that affect livestock. J. Nat. Toxins 8:27–34.Google Scholar
Green, L. R. 1951. Utilization of winter forage by sheep. J. Range Manag 4:233–235.Google Scholar
Hegerhorst, D. F., Bhat, R. B., Weber, D. J., and McArthur, E. D. 1988. Seasonal changes of selected secondary plant products in Chrysothamnus nauseosus ssp. turbinatus . Great Basin Naturalist 48:1–8.Google Scholar
Hennessy, J. T., Gibbens, R. P., Tramble, J. M., and Cardenas, M. 1983. Vegetation changes from 1935–1980 in mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa) dune lands and former grasslands of southern New Mexico USA. J. Range Manag 36:370–374.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Huddleston, E. W. and Pieper, R. D. 1989. Snakeweed: Problems and Perspectives. Pages 226 p. New Mexico Agric. Exp. Stn. Bull. 751.Google Scholar
Jameson, D. A. 1970. Value of broom snakeweed as a range condition indicator. J. Range Manag 23:302–304.Google Scholar
Kelsey, R. G., Stephens, J. R., and Shafizadeh, F. 1982. The chemical constituents of sagebrush foliage and their isolation. J. Range. Manag 35:617–622.Google Scholar
Keyes, J., Ransom, C., and Ralphs, M. H. 2011. Herbicide control of broom snakeweed on the Colorado Plateau and Great Basin. Range Ecol. Manag. In review.Google Scholar
Lane, J. 1985. Taxonomy of Gutierrezia Lag. (Compositae: Asteraceae) in North America. Syst. Bot 10:1–28.Google Scholar
Martinez, J. H., Ross, T. T., Becker, K. A., Williams, J. L., Campos, D., and Smith, G. S. 1993. Injested dry snakeweed foliage did not impair reproduction in ewes and heifers in late gestation. Proc. West. Sect. Amer. Soc. Anim. Sci 44:32–35.Google Scholar
Mathews, F. P. 1936. The toxicity of broomweed (Gutierrezia microcephala) for sheep, cattle and goats. J. Am. Vet. Med. Assoc 88:55–61.Google Scholar
Mayeux, H. S. Jr. 1983. Effects of soil texture and seed placement on emergence of four subshrubs. Weed Sci 31:380–384.Google Scholar
Mayeux, H. S. Jr. 1989. Snakeweed seed characteristics and germination requirements. Pages 39–50. In Huddleston, E. L. and Pieper, R. D. eds. Snakeweed: Problems and Perspectives. New Mexico Agric. Exp. Stn. Bull. 751.Google Scholar
Mayeux, H. S. Jr and Leotta, L. 1981. Germination of broom snakeweed (Gutierrezia sarothrae) and threadleaf snakeweed (G. microcephala) seed. Weed Sci 29:530–534.Google Scholar
McDaniel, K. C. 1989a. Snakeweed populations in New Mexico, 1979–1989. Pages 13–25. In Huddleston, E. W. and Pieper, R. D. eds. Snakeweed: Problems and Perspectives, New Mexico Agric. Exp. Stn. Bull. 751.Google Scholar
McDaniel, K. C. 1989b. Use of herbicides in snakeweed management. Pages 85–100. In Huddleston, E. W. and Pieper, R. D. eds. Snakeweed: Problems and Perspectives, New Mexico Agric. Exp. Stn. Bull. 751.Google Scholar
McDaniel, K. C., Carrol, D. B., and Hart, C. R. 2000. Broom snakeweed establishment on blue grama grasslands after fire and herbicide treatments. J. Range Manag 53:239–245.Google Scholar
McDaniel, K. C. and Duncan, K. W. 1987. Broom snakeweed (Gutierrezia sarothrae) control with picloram and metsulfuron. Weed Sci 35:837–841.Google Scholar
McDaniel, K. C., Hart, C. R., and Carroll, D. B. 1997. Broom snakeweed control with fire on New Mexico blue grama rangeland. J. Range. Manag 50:652–659.Google Scholar
McDaniel, K. C., Pieper, R. D., and Donart, G. B. 1982. Grass response following thinning of broom snakeweed. J. Range Manag 35:219–222.Google Scholar
McDaniel, K. C. and Ross, T. T. 2002. Snakeweed: poisonous properties, livestock loss, and management considerations. J. Range Manag 55:277–284.Google Scholar
McDaniel, K. C. and Sosebee, R. E. 1988. Ecology, management and poisonous properties associated with perennial snakeweeds. Pages 43–69. In James, L. F., Ralphs, M. H., and Nielsen, D. B. eds. The Ecology and Economic Impact of Poisonous Plants on Livestock Production. Boulder CO Westview Press.Google Scholar
McDaniel, K. C. and Torell, L. A. 1987. Ecology and management of broom snakeweed. Pages 101–115. In Capinera, J. L. ed. Integrated Pest Management on Rangeland: A Shortgrass Prairie Perspective. Boulder CO Westview Press.Google Scholar
McDaniel, K. C., Torell, L. A., and Bain, J. W. 1993. Overstory–understory relationships for broom snakeweed–blue grama grasslands. J. Range Manag 46:506–511.Google Scholar
Oetting, B. C., Ross, T. T., Walraven, K., Kloppenburg, P., Smith, G. S., and Hallford, D. M. 1990. Effects of ingested snakeweed herbage on estrual activity, blood progesterone and serum clinical profiles of fine-wool ewes. Proc. West. Sect. Am. Soc. Anim. Sci 41:23–26.Google Scholar
Parker, K. W. 1939. The control of snakeweed in the Southwest. Pages 36 p. Southwest. For. Range Exp. Stn. Res. Note 76.Google Scholar
Pechanec, J. F. and Blaisdell, J. P. 1954. Sagebrush burning, good and bad. Pages 34 p. USDA Farmers' Bull. 1948.Google Scholar
Pickford, G. D. 1932. The influence of continued heavy grazing and promiscuous burning on spring-fall ranges in Utah. Ecology 13:159–171.Google Scholar
Pieper, R. D. 1989. Broom snakeweed content of herbivore diets. Pages 203–210. In Huddleston, E. W. and Pieper, R. D. eds. Snakeweed: Problems and Perspectives, New Mexico Agric. Exp. Stn. Bull. 751.Google Scholar
Pieper, R. D. and McDaniel, K. C. 1989. Ecology and management of broom snakeweed. Pages 1–12. In Huddleston, E. W. and Pieper, R. D. eds. Snakeweed: Problems and Perspectives, New Mexico Agric. Exp. Stn. Bull. 751.Google Scholar
Platt, K. B. 1959. Plant control—some possibilities and limitations. II. Vital statistics for range management. J. Range Manag 12:194–200.Google Scholar
Ralphs, M. H. 2009. Response of broom snakeweed (Gutierrezia sarothrae) to defoliation. Invasive Plant Sci. Manag 2:28–35.Google Scholar
Ralphs, M. H. and Banks, J. E. 2009. Cattle grazing broom snakeweed as a biological control: vegetation response. Range Ecol. Manag 62:38–43.Google Scholar
Ralphs, M. H. and Wiedmeier, R. D. 2004. Conditioning cattle to graze broom snakeweed (Gutierrezia sarothrae). J. Anim. Sci 82:3100–3106.Google Scholar
Ralphs, M. H. and Sanders, K. D. 2002. Population cycles of broom snakeweed in the Colorado Plateau and Snake River Plains. J. Range Manag 55:406–411.Google Scholar
Ralphs, M. H., Wiedmeier, R. D., and Banks, J. E. 2007. Decreasing forage allowance can force cattle to graze broom snakeweed (Gutierrezia sarothrae) as a biological control. Range Ecol. Manag 60:487–497.Google Scholar
Roitman, J. N., James, L. F., and Panter, K. E. 1994. Constituents of broom snakeweed (Gutierrezia sarothrae), an abortifacient rangeland plant. Pages 345–350. In Colegate, S. M. and Dorling, P. R. eds. Plant-Associated Toxins: Agricultural, Phytochemical and Ecological Aspects. Wallingford Oxon, UK CABI.Google Scholar
Smith, G. S., Ross, T. T., Flores-Rodriguez, G. I., Oetting, B. C., and Edrington, T. S. 1991. Toxicology of snakeweeds, (Gutierrezia sarothrae and G. microcephala). Pages 236–246. In James, L. F., Evans, J. O., Ralphs, M. H., and Child, R. D. eds. Noxious Range Weeds. Boulder CO Westview Press.Google Scholar
Smith, G. S., Ross, T. T., Hallford, D. M., Thilsted, J. P., Staley, E. C., Greenberg, J. A., and Miller, R. J. 1994. Toxicology of snakeweeds (Gutierrezia sarothrae and G. microcephala). Proc. West. Sect. Am. Soc. Anim. Sci 45:98–102.Google Scholar
Sosebee, R. E., Boyd, W. E., and Brumley, C. S. 1979. Broom snakeweed control with tebuthiuron. J. Range Manag 32:179–182.Google Scholar
Sosebee, R. E., Seip, W. W., and Alliney, J. 1982. Effect of timing of herbicide application on broom snakeweed control. Noxious Brush and Weed Control Research Highlights, Range and Wildlife Department Texas Tech University 13:19.Google Scholar
Sterling, T. M., Thompson, D. C., and McDaniel, K. C. 1999. Snakeweeds. Pages 323–335. In Sheley, R. L. and Petroff, J. K. eds. Biology and Management of Noxious Rangeland Weeds. Corvalis OR Oregon State University Press.Google Scholar
Strickland, J. R., Gulino-Klein, L. F., Ross, T. T., Slate, S., Peterson, M. K., May, T., and Taylor, J. B. 1998. Effects of nutrient supplementation in beef cows of poor body condition fed snakeweed (Gutierrezia spp.). Vet. Hum. Toxicol 40 (5):278–284.Google Scholar
Talbot, M. V. 1926. Indicators of southwestern range conditions. Pages 36 p. USDA Farmers' Bull. 1782.Google Scholar
Thacker, E. T., Ralphs, M. H., Call, C. A., Benson, B., and Green, S. 2008. Using an ecological site description to evaluate broom snakeweed (Gutierrezia sarothrae) invasion in a sagebrush steppe. Range Ecol. Manag 61:263–268.Google Scholar
Thacker, E., Ralphs, M. H., and Monaco, T. A. 2009a. A comparison of inter- and intraspecific interference on broom snakeweed (Gutierrezia sarothrae) seedling growth. Invasive Plant Sci. Manag 2:36–44.Google Scholar
Thacker, E., Ralphs, M. H., and Monaco, T. A. 2009b. Seeding cool-season grasses to suppress broom snakeweed (Gutierrezia sarothrae), downy brome (Bromus tectorum), and weedy forbs. Invasive Plant Sci. Manag 2:237–246.Google Scholar
Torell, L. A., McDaniel, K. C., and Koren, V. 2011. Estimating grass yield on blue grama range from seasonal rainfall and soil moisture measurements. Range Ecol. Manag. In press.Google Scholar
Ueckert, D. N. 1979. Broom snakeweed: effect on shortgrass forage production and soil water depletion. J. Range Manag 32:216–220.Google Scholar
U.S. Forest Service 1937. Range Plant Handbook. Washington, DC U.S. Government Printing Office. 508 p.Google Scholar
Wan, C., Sosebee, R. E., and McMichael, B. L. 1993a. Broom snakeweed responses to drought: I. photosynthesis, conductance, and water-use efficiency. J. Range Manag 46:355–359.Google Scholar
Wan, C., Sosebee, R. E., and McMichael, B. L. 1993b. Broom snakeweed responses to drought: II. root growth, carbon allocation, and mortality. J. Range Manag 46:360–363.Google Scholar
Wan, C., Sosebee, R. E., and McMichael, B. L. 1993c. Soil water extraction and photosynthesis in (Gutierrezia sarothrae) and Sporobolus cryptandrus . J. Range Manag 46:425–430.Google Scholar
Wan, C., Sosebee, R. E., and McMichael, B. L. 1995. Water acquisition and rooting characteristics in northern and southern populations of Gutierrezia sarothrae . Environ. Exp. Bot 535:1–7.Google Scholar
Whitson, T. D. and Freeburn, J. W. 1989. Broom snakeweed control in two rangeland locations. Pages 472 p. p.37. West. Soc. Weed Sci. Res. Prog. Rep.Google Scholar
Williams, J. L., Campos, D., Ross, T. T., Becker, K. A., Martinez, J. M., Oetting, B. C., and Smith, G. S. 1992. Snakeweed (Gutierrezia spp.) toxicosis in beef heifers. Proc. West. Sect. Amer. Soc. Anim. Sci 43:67–69.Google Scholar
Wood, B. L., McDaniel, K. C., and Clason, D. 1997. Broom snakeweed (Gutierrezia sarothrae) dispersal, viability, and germination. Weed Sci 45:77–84.Google Scholar
Wooton, E. O. 1915. Factors affecting range management in New Mexico. USDA Bull. 211. 39 p.Google Scholar