Family: Asteraceae
Origin, Description & Uses:
Gutierrezia sarothrae, commonly known as snakeweed, is a shrubby perennial native to western North America, particularly arid and semi-arid regions of the United States and Mexico. It is a small, bushy plant typically growing 1–3 feet tall, with slender green stems, narrow leaves, and clusters of bright yellow flowers that bloom seasonally. Snakeweed is well adapted to dry conditions and poor soils, and has historically been used in traditional medicine and for erosion control in rangeland settings. However, it is most often recognized as a hardy, opportunistic species that readily colonizes disturbed areas.
Risks & Threats:
Although snakeweed is not currently known to be naturalized in the Hawaiian Islands, it possesses several traits that raise concern. It is a prolific seed producer, tolerates a wide range of environmental conditions, and can quickly establish in disturbed or degraded habitats. In other regions, it has formed dense stands that outcompete native vegetation, reduce biodiversity, and alter ecosystem processes. These characteristics suggest it could become invasive in tropical island environments like Hawaiʻi, where native ecosystems are particularly vulnerable. Because of these risks, planting snakeweed is not recommended. Instead, choosing low-risk or native plant alternatives is strongly encouraged to help protect Hawaiʻi’s unique ecosystems.
High Risk Traits:
- Broad climate tolerance (Canada to Mexico; 50–2900m)
- Naturalized outside native range (New York, Hawaii)
- Reduces forage & toxic to livestock
- Forms dense, grass-suppressing thickets
- High seed output (up to ~14,000/plant)
- Wind-dispersed seeds
- Persistent seed bank (several years)
- Tolerates fire & disturbance (resprouts, recovers quickly)
Low Risk Traits:
- No vegetative reproduction
- No bird or water dispersal
- Seeds don't survive gut passage
- Herbicides effective (short-term)
