"gutierrezia microcephala" is a small, resinous, perennial desert subshrub that is typically in height and less than in diameter. it is heavily branched, often causing it to be nearly spherical. new shoots and twigs are green to yellow in color, and older parts are brown and woody. the leaves are linear, threadlike, and alternate; long and wide. along with the leaves, the stem tissue is photosynthetic, giving the plant a high photosynthetic capacity. "g. microcephala" typically flowers july to october, but this can vary depending on the amount of precipitation.