As an affectionado of all native plants the world over and in particular of those found within the spectacular Sky Islands Region of southeastern Arizona I sometimes find myself defending the reputation of Desert Broom (Baccharis sarothroides). Despite possessing many wonderful qualities across a broad range of categories, I have met with a good handful of of people who view this well-known species as little more than a tenacious weed in shrub form - a nuisance to be net with all manner of mechanical aids all aimed at its ultimate demise.
I can see where some may acquire a less-than-enlightened view of this handsome species. After all its own success seems to mirror that of our own species, as this opportunistic and pioneer plant often germinates and grows in the wake of humanity. Newly cleared house sites, freshly razed roadways, and even cracks within older pavements are all places where Desert Broom gains footholds and thrives. It ranges from parts of the Sonoran and Chihuahuan Deserts up into the arid grasslands, even infiltrating the lower recesses of creeks spilling out from the mountains - a versatile plant indeed!
It is perhaps the versatility as well as the sheer abundance of Desert Broom in some localities that sometimes offends. We tend, rather, to relish the rare, the grandiose, and odd, and the delicate species found in the plant world. You will rarely hear a discouraging word uttered about a stately Saguaro, a negative explicative directed at a winsome Mariposa Lilly, or a verbal or literal siege laid upon an Ocotillo springing up near a home. These unflattering feelings and the resultant actions are reserved for the seemingly coarse and undistinguished Desert Brooms of the world. Even the so-called "broomy" growth of this species is shared by an apparent legion of both closely and distantly related plants contained within the Aster Family. For those of us so interested in the identification and use of wild plants, these species are sometimes relegated, albeit temporarily, to the "another damn composite" category (referring to the type of flower that many members of the Aster family possess).
You may find it a bit odd, then, that I am here to sing the praises of this much ignored and maligned plant. Those who know me know better already. I am one of those die-hard Nature fanatics who leads the cheer for all native plants, wildlife, and fungi. To me they deserve our admiration and affection, even if it comes after some personal mishaps and after ingesting much bad press and sometimes even outright lies. The lowly Mosquito, stinky Skunks (we boast 4 species in Arizona), homely Vultures, pesky Poison Ivy, painful Harvester Ants, shocking Mala Mujer (a stinging plant), and terrifying Tarantulas are among the species that I hold near and dear to my heart in the Sky Islands. I once found myself defending the honor of Spotted Hyenas as I watched a Nature video with my wife, Claudia. She, understandably, found both their appearance and habits (brute scavengers in marauding packs) to be less than appealing. So it is with many people as, quite honestly, this is literally the sensible thing to think. These species tend to - in one way or another - offend our senses - why would we like them?!
That's why I think that they need more kind words and a warrant a second look - beyond our evolutionarily bound, sometimes knee-jerk reactions. The proverbial "don't judge a book by its cover" concept comes to mind. The Elegant Trogons, Jaguars, Apache Pines, and Great Purple Hairstreaks (a fabulously beautiful Butterfly) of the world have no shortage of defenders and admirers. They elicit as much positive response as the aforementioned species do negative. So, if you are willing to stay with me, here are a few thoughts about Desert Brooms that may change or elevate your opinion of them.
I'll begin with the natural history of the species, which in and of itself is a marvel to behold. After an achene (the parachute-like seed structure common to members of the Aster family) lands in a favorable spot and germinates into a young Desert Broom the life cycle of the species effectively begins. This is also where the species can start to falter in the eyes of those who desire and demand neat and tidy garden and landscaped spaces. In these often disturbed patches, which approximate those found in Nature and which favor Desert Brooms, the horrified homeowner can sometimes find almost countless seedling popping up at every turn. The "I didn't plant this, so it must be a weed" mentality now kicks into full gear, particularly since young Brooms have little to distinguish themselves from a host of other would-be plant invaders.
We are blessed to live on a 42-acre Nature Sanctuary where we treasure every native species, including the plants. When we first purchased the land we inherited a horrible weed-whacked man-made disaster, notably lacking and plant diversity or density around our house. I suppose that the previous owner was either plant or fire phobic or both. Of course its only common sense to avoid an abundance of dry plants very close to a structure, as you are inviting any wild fire to raze it to the ground. The polar opposite attitude, where any plant within a huge radius of the house is subject to anihiliation is just as bad in my opinion. No, your house is very unlikely to suffer any fire damage associated with the outside landscape, though you will feel the brunt of the sometimes brutal southwestern Sun and incessant winds that not only try your patience but which will also eventually wreak havoc upon your now naked dwelling.
Noting the perils of each of these extreme attitudes we tend to trod the middle road, allowing intrepid Desert Brooms to augment and even dominate the native landscaping around our home. Since March of 2007 when we first moved in Desert brooms have risen from the hardest soil in the most disturbed area like a plant version of the proverbial phoenix bird. They now form dense thickets of evergreen abundance over large patches near our house. They have noticeably diminished the sometimes vexing winds, attracted a broad spectrum of native wildlife, and blessed our senses with its attractive shape, colors, and flower-born scents. A wide variety of small birds, including Canyon Towhees and several Sparrow species are among the birds that seem to relish the deep shade and cloaking cover of Desert Brooms, as evidenced by the frequent flushing that occur when we come too close to these hidden realms for the comfort of the birds. The deep green foliage also seems to be a favorite haunt of the equally verdant Praying Mantises that seek their invertebrate prey amongst the dense, needle-like leaves of the Broom. When the Brooms come into flower, however, is when they truly shine as a wildlife plant extraordinaire.
Just so I balance the picture here, we do have many Desert Brooms pop up in less-than-convenient places where we then feel compelled to play plant executioner. It's simply not the most sage of decisions to allow them to grow at the base of your home's foundation, as the roots can likely cause at least some minor damage. Nor do we deem it ideal if a young and robust Broom is rapidly overtaking one of the many native species that we've planted in an effort to rehabilitate and create wildlife habitat. That victory goes to where the money and effort was put! Still, we've had a number of these bought natives benefit from the shade and overall protection of nearby Brooms.
Fast forward to Autumn in the Sky Islands - a time when most other plant species have already flowered, but when Desert Brooms burst forth in a veritable orgy of mating. Both the male and female plants - basically the same sexual arrangement as humans - send out their blooms in a synchronous manner in order to effect the act of pollination. This means that the pollen from the male plants must, by action of wind or animal pollinator, find its way to an awaiting female blossom where it will fertilize an egg, eventually forming a viable seed. Neither flower gender particularly shines in the beauty department according to conventional logic. They are small and a dull white color and, though in abundance, boast only a relatively mild scent.
Apparently the hordes of potential pollinators that descend upon the flowers could care less about what most people think! When Desert Brooms are in full bloom they are a veritable blizzard of insect activity. I liken the spectacle to an ephemeral and diminutive insect version of the Serengeti in Africa. The various wasps and mantids, as well as ambush bugs take the place of lions, hyenas, and leopards - no less fierce and deadly despite their small size. They lay in wait and prowl for diurnal (daytime) moths, butterflies (including the aforementioned and dazzling Great Purple Hairstreak), and a particularly abundant species of Longhorn Beetle that may specialize in feeding at the flowers of Desert Broom. The list of insect species to be found at a patch of flowering Brooms is indeed impressive. Its the type of spectacle that gives even the Nature curmudgeon pause, if only to avoid "all those damn insects!". Since Brooms bloom at a time when few other plants dare brave the increasingly dry autumnal soil conditions and perilously chilly nights, they seem to have nearly "cornered the market" on the available pollinators at that time of year.
So, have I given you reason enough to reconsider the the status of Desert Brooms in your own personal plant hierarchy? Don't worry, I have yet a few more thoughts to share in this vein! In addition to its many wildlife-related benefits, Desert Broom also excels in the eyes of the resourceful herbalist, frugal survivalist, and clever stone-age technologist. I like to wear all of these hats, sometimes simultaneously, so I'll briefly speak to each of them.
The evergreen stems of Desert Broom contain powerful astringents that make them an ideal skin wash for a variety of external ailments. These include sunburn, Poison Ivy dermatitis, and minor wounds. Simply steep the cut or crushed stems in boiling hot water until it cools and use topically. I would not hesitate to mash up the stems between 2 handy rocks to make a paste with which I could treat minor wounds in the field.
In the wilderness survival realm Desert Broom excels as a shelter material. Given that the branches are generally easily broken by hand and that they lack sharp spines or thorns, I consider them an expedient solution to certain shelter challenges. One of these is to create quick shade amidst the searing southwestern Sun. Thus, Desert Broom makes an excellent horizontal shade layer atop ramadas or simply added to the branches of a live or dead tree. The same branches can be used as a bedding layer with which to insulate your body from excessive heat or cold.
The freshly removes fine branches are excellent as a quickie brush for removing the irritating deciduous spines (i.e. glochids) of Prickly Pear fruit and pads, rendering them consumable. These plants often grow in the same localities and make for a convenient juxtaposition of useful plants.
Finally, you can use the dead and dried branches of Desert Broom for fine to medium-sized fuel in your wilderness fires. The wood burns quickly and evenly, providing plenty of light and some modest coals when the blaze has receded. With the normal plethora of dense desert woods that yield long-lasting coals (e.g. Mesquite) having ready access to finer, more flammable fuels is certainly a useful thing.
Perhaps next time you see the "lowly" Desert Broom you'll have reason to take a second glance and to ponder its many unexpected virtues!
