Flower profile

Cut-leaf ironplant

Sideranthus spinulosus

Cut-leaf ironplant (Sideranthus spinulosus) is a low shrub in the Asteraceae family, native in the lower 48 states, blooming mostly April–September across the U.S.

Native in the lower 48

Cut-leaf ironplant is a wildflower that USDA PLANTS lists as native in the lower 48 states. In New Mexico it's most often seen in bloom in April–September.

9states where USDA records it

1,162NM sightings*

4,140U.S. sightings*

*iNaturalist research-grade observations, as of October 17, 2026.

On our lists for: New Mexico

Quick look

It belongs to the Asteraceae family. ^iNaturalist
USDA PLANTS describes it as an herb (forb) / a subshrub with a perennial life cycle. ^{USDA PLANTS}
USDA PLANTS lists it as native in the lower 48 states and records it in 9 states. ^{USDA PLANTS}
In New Mexico, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in April–September. ^iNaturalist
iNaturalist has 1,162 research-grade sightings of it in New Mexico, ranking #36 among the 152 flowers on our New Mexico list. ^iNaturalist

When does it bloom?

In New Mexico, most flowering sightings come in April–September.

Flowering records by month in New Mexico (iNaturalist research-grade observations marked “Flowering”) (68 records)

Conservation status

Federal (U.S. ESA): Not listed No U.S. Endangered Species Act listing in the USFWS ECOS database. ^{USFWS ECOS}
NatureServe: Unknown We couldn't find this name in NatureServe Explorer. ^NatureServe
New Mexico: Not listed Not on New Mexico state endangered plant species (19.21.2.9 NMAC). ^{19.21.2.9 NMAC}

Checked October 17, 2026. Rankings and lists can change, so follow the links for the latest.

Can you eat it?

For peopleNot well documented

None of the sources we checked (NC State Extension (no page for this plant), USDA PLANTS) say whether it's edible or poisonous for people.

For petsNot well documented

It isn't on the ASPCA plant list.

🌿 Never eat a wild plant unless you're certain of its ID; this isn't medical advice. Worried about a person? Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. Worried about a pet? Call your vet.

Where does it grow?

USDA PLANTS records cut-leaf ironplant in 9 states.

AKMEVTNHWAIDMTNDMNILWIMINYRIMAORNVWYSDIAINOHPANJCTCAUTCONEMOKYWVVAMDDEAZNMKSARTNNCSCDCOKLAMSALGAHITXFL

recorded by USDA PLANTS on our state lists not recorded

See the full list of states

Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, Wyoming.

New Mexico counties with USDA records: Eddy.

Names, range and relatives

Other scientific names (synonyms in USDA PLANTS): Sideranthus glaberrimus.

County records: USDA PLANTS lists it in 93 counties across 4 states; the most are in Kansas (63), Texas (26), Colorado (3).

More from the Asteraceae family (212 on Bloomipedia; most observed first): Common yarrow, Goldenrods, White snakeroot, Sunflowers, Chicory, Black-eyed Susan, Bull thistle, Common dandelion.

More New Mexico flowers

Rubber rabbitbrush

Ericameria nauseosa

Native

🌼 Blooms in NM: September–October

Upright prairie coneflower

Ratibida columnifera

Native

🌼 Blooms in NM: June–August

Blackfoot daisy

Melampodium leucanthum

Native

🌼 Blooms in NM: April–July

Sources

USDA, NRCS. PLANTS Database, profile MAPIG3.
iNaturalist, Sideranthus spinulosus: taxonomy, research-grade observation counts and “Flowering” annotations, retrieved October 17, 2026.
New Mexico: New Mexico state endangered plant species (19.21.2.9 NMAC).
New Mexico: New Mexico Noxious Weed List (NM Department of Agriculture, updated June 2020).
USFWS, ECOS species database (ESA listing check), October 17, 2026.
Edibility and toxicity: no source found (marked "not well documented").
Photo: Bobby McCabe via iNaturalist · CC BY 4.0 · resized.