Arizona Wild Flowers
Wildflower Pictures, Photos, And Information.

Broom Groundsel
Senecio spartioides

Broom Groundsel Senecio spartioides, Aster Family: ( Asteraceae ), Senecio spartioides. Also called: Broomlike Groundsel, Many Headed Groundsel, Broom Butterweed, or Grass Leaved Ragwort. Broom Groundsel is a perennial subshrub which produces many stems from a large woody crown, in a tight to spreading cluster, giving it a broom-like appearance. Broom Groundsel produces numerous yellow-flowered heads, the ray flowers numbering from four to eight per head (over 18 flowers with the disk flowers included). It generally blooms in the late summer and fall but will bloom early in the summer given sufficient moisture. A bright white fluffy pappus enables easy dispersal of seeds by the wind. Hummingbirds, bees, butterflies and other insects collect nectar from the flowers. Seed eaters eat the seeds. Height: Growing about 18 to 48 inches tall. Flowers: Yellow ray flowers surrounding a cluster of yellow disk flowers; the flower head appears to be one single flower, but it is composed of several flowers (a composite). Bisexual; 4 to 8 rays; rays 0.28� to 0.48� long; disk 0.2� to 0.4� wide; involucres 0.2� to 0.4� high, 0.16� to 0.32� wide. Blooming Time: Sometimes in May, then again in the fall months of July - November. Leaves: The leaves are alternate; simple; entire or with lobes; 0.8� to 4� long or more. Found: Found throughout western Texas, west through New Mexico, northern Mexico, into Arizona, Utah, and California, north to Wyoming, western Nebraska, and southwestern South Dakota. Elevation: 6,800 and 10,400 Feet. Habitat: Plains, open slopes, valleys, arroyos, and semistabilized dunes in pi�on-juniper woodlands, ponderosa pine forests, and desert areas. Miscellaneous: Flowering Photos Taken July 29, 2009. Blue Ridge Lake or Reservoir, Arizona located at 6,604 feet, in the Coconino National Forest on the Mogollon Rim near Payson.