COMMON BROOMWEED, Gutierrezia dracunculoides (DC.) Blake. 1, plant in flower; 2, flower head; 3, ray flower; 4, disk flower; 5, seed; 6, root system. Annual, reproducing by seed. Taproot with many fibrous branches. Stem erect, tough or almost woody, bushy-topped, 15 to 30 inches (37.5 to 75 cm) tall. Leaves linear, about 1 inch (2.5 cm) long and 1/8 inch (3 mm) wide. Flower heads small, at tips of the many fine branches. Ray flowers 5 to 10 in number, bright yellow, surrounding the pale yellow disk flowers. Found mostly in pastures. Sometimes the dominant weed in many pastures, although its abundance varies greatly from year to year.