Gumhead
Gymnosperma glutinosum
Family: Asteraceae
Deciduous small shrub up to 3’ tall. Blooms in summer and fall with yellow flowers, superficially looking like broom snakeweed (Gutierrezia sarothrae) but more upright-growing and heavier leaves. The stems, leaves and flowering heads are covered with a glutinous, or sticky, substance.
Full to part sun, moderate water.
Excellent nectar plant.
Used to treat diarrhea, rheumatism, and stomach ulcers.
Photo by Sue Carnahan, SEINET
Gymnosperma glutinosum on iNaturalist
Gymnosperma comes from Greek Gymnos, for naked and sperma, seed, which refers to the epappose achene, while glutinosum means sticky. This genus is monotypic (only one species is represented by this genus so far).
Found on gravelly, sandy, or loamy flats, rocky slopes, crevices and ledges, and in streambeds from 1,000-6,000 ft. in southern Arizona, southern New Mexico, southern Texas; south throughout Mexico, northern Central America and a disjunct population in South America.
Typical growth pattern of gumhead, photo by Elsa Hdz, iNaturalist
When the flowers are finished you can cut the plant back, photo by Ray Martínez Jiménez, iNaturalist