Granivorous birds will use seeds. Larval food plant for some dart moths (subfamily Noctuinae), tortrix moths (subfamily Tortricoidea), and the sunflower moth (Homoeosoma ellectella). Ecologically this is an important plant for soil stabilization, as it pioneers disturbed, desert soils.

Many medicinal uses, including as treatment for rheumatism, snake bites, respiratory ailments, constipation, bruises, fevers, venereal disease, sores, and headaches; also used as a sedative, an insecticide, and used ceremonially. It is used by the Native Americans of the Great Plains for various reasons. The Comanche bind the stems together to make brooms. The Blackfoot use the roots in an herbal steam as a treatment for respiratory ailments. A decoction of the plant is used by the Lakota to treat colds, coughs, and dizziness, while a concentrate made from the flowers is used by the Dakota as a laxative for horses. The Navajo rub the ashes of the plant on their bodies to treat headaches and dizziness, and also apply the chewed plant to wounds, snakebites, and areas swollen by insect bites and stings. The Zuni use an infusion of the blossoms as a diuretic and to "make one strong in the limbs and muscles", and an infusion of the whole plant is used topically for muscle aches.

There are several other Gutierrezia species to consider as well. Gutierrezia microcephala is very similar to G. sarothrae, except for the somewhat more woody stems and smaller heads with usually 1 ray flower (3-9 in sarothrae)—it is usually also found at higher elevations.

Gutierrezia is named for Pedro Gutierrez (Rodriguez), a 19th century Spanish noblemen and botanist, while sarothrae is from the Greek sarum, a broom. There are 31 species of Gutierrezia native to western North America and western South America.

Found on plains and slopes in almost any habitat from 3,000-7,000 ft in most of western North America from Canada south to southern California, east to Texas; south to central Mexico.