General: Threadleaf Snakeweed (Gutierrezia microcephala), also called Sticky Snake Weed and Small-headed Matchweed, is a small shrub with thread-like leaves and small yellow flowers. From the base, the plant grows with many upright branches. The lower branches are densely covered with tiny, linear, dark green leaves. The end of the branches have a few, thread-like leaves. Most leaves are dried by flowering. Each branch ends with a cluster of flowerheads with tiny yellow flowers that bloom in summer and fall. Each tiny flowerhead is made up of 1-2 petals (ray flowers) and 1-2 disk flowers. The involucres are cylindrical.

Threadleaf Snakeweed is a fairly common component of vegetation communities in dry, well-drained gravelly areas on bajadas into the lower mountains in the Lower Sonoran (Creosote-Bursage Flats) and Upper Sonoran (Mojave Desert Scrub and Pinyon-Juniper Woodland) life zones.

Around Las Vegas, look for Threadleaf Snakeweed at Red Rock Canyon and in the Sheep Range.

Family: Sunflower (Asteraceae)