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Looking at Look-Alikes

Distinguishing naturalized and native plants from invasives and others
June 26, 2026 by
Looking at Look-Alikes
Anika Marcus

In our high desert, it is sometimes hard to distinguish native plants and naturalized vegetation from themselves and each other. Here we have compiled a list of similar (looking) species to help you distinguish between them. 

Goathead 

Tribulus terrestris

Purslane 

Portulaca oleracea

Identifying Features: 

reddish sprawling vines, smooth leaves, small yellow flowers. 

Identifying Features: 

reddish sprawling vines, smooth leaves, small yellow flowers. 

So how can we tell them apart? 

Purslane leaves are typically rounder, and a bit softer than those of the goathead. In addition to this, the stem of the purslane is more succulent like, and thicker than the viny stems of the goatheads. 

Musk Thistle,  Scotch Thistle, Bull Thistle 

Carduus nutans ,  Onopordum acanthium, Cirsium vulgare

Native thistles (many) 

Cirsium asst. 


Identifying Features: 

Sharp leaves and stem, round head with many small tubular flowers. 

Identifying Features: 

Sharp leaves and stem, round head with many small tubular flowers. 

So how can we tell them apart? 

This one is tricky, as there are a few varieties of each. We like to refer to the New Mexico Native Plant Societies Thistle Identification Guide. 

https://www.npsnm.org/books-and-booklets/thistle-identification-booklet/ 


Chamisa/rabbit brush 

Ericameria nauseosa

Broom Snakeweed

Gutierrezia sarothrae

Identifying Features: 

Flowering shrub with long, green stems and a small, clustered yellow flower at its end. 

Identifying Features: 

Flowering shrub with long, green stems and a small, clustered yellow flower at its end. 

So how can we tell them apart? 

While both of these shrubs are endemic to the southwest, and have similar shapes and colors, rabbit brush is typically much smaller (8-36"). Chamisa can grow up to six feet tall, and spreads itself a bit wider.  


One seed/New mexico Juniper 

Juniperus monosperma

Pinon pine 

Pinus Eldus 

Identifying Features: 

Woody, desert hardy bark. Long, thin evergreen leaves. When fruiting, bears a small grey blue berry with a wide variety of uses. 

Identifying Features: 

Woody, desert hardy bark. Long, thin evergreen leaves. When fruiting, bears a small brown nut consumed by humans for centuries. 


So how can we tell them apart? 

Both of these trees are evergreens, and exist in the same elevations. Together, they create massive woodlands that span most of the southwest. Pinons leaves are more thing and needle like, a characteristic that many other pine trees share. Junipers foliage is smaller, softer, and has almost snake like scales running the length. While not a hard rule, Pinon tend to have a flatter, more rounded top than junipers, which can be almost conical at times. 

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