Patrick Alexander

Hymenoxys vaseyi

Bitterweeds are members of the aster family that grow up to five feet tall. There are several species of bitterweed on Navajo rangelands. Like other asters, the flowers have ray flowers (what look like outer petals) and disk flowers (tiny flowers in the dense center of the flower). Both ray flowers and disk flowers are in the yellow to orange spectrum. Bitterweed is toxic to livestock, but affects sheep more than other animals. Due to the bitter taste of the plant, animals generally do not eat it when there are other plants to eat.

For descriptions of specific species, consult the entries on pingue and rubberweed.

Patrick Alexander

Hymenoxys odorata

Patrick Alexander

Hymenoxys odorata

Patrick Alexander

Hymenoxys richardsonii

Brian Muise

Hand holding the bitterweed pulled from ground showing small and yellow flowers

Brian Muise