Baccharis halimifolia
Bush Groundsel
a perennial woody deciduous member of the Baccharis genus in the family Compositae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Compositae
- Genus
- Baccharis
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Foliage
- deciduous
- Woodiness
- woody
- Growth rate
- moderate
- Height
- 3.5 m
- Spread
- 3.5 m
- Fertility
- Self sterile, Insects
- Flower type
- dioecious
- Pollinators
- Insects
Uses
Toxicity
Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
The plant is potentially toxic to livestck[7].
Medicinal uses
Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
The plant is used as a palliative and demulcent in consumption and cough[5].
- Product or use
- Demulcent
Material uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
A good fast-growing hedge for exposed maritime conditions[11, K]. It retains its leaves into the new year but is rather bare in late winter[K]. Plants have an extensive root system and can be grown on sand or thin coastal soils in order to bind the soil[4]. Resinous secretions on the leaves and wood make this a useful fuel[1]. It is a fairly small plant though and would not be a very productive source.
- Product or use
- Fuel
Environment
- Range
- Eastern N. America - Massachusetts to Florida and Texas.
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- no shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 5+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy, clay
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline, very alkaline
- Drainage
- well drained
- Tolerances
- high wind, maritime exposure
- Wind
- Yes
- Maritime
- Yes
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
- Salinity
- tolerant
Propagation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Seed - no pre-treatment is required[2]. Surface sow in pots a cold frame in the spring, do not let the compost dry out. Germination usually takes place within 1 - 2 weeks[2]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the cold frame for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame. Very easy[K]. Cuttings of mature wood of the current seasons growth, November in a frame. Easy[K].
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Succeeds in a sunny position in any well-drained soil[1][3], from heavy clays to pure sands[2]. Tolerates saline conditions and dry soils[3][4]. A useful shrub for coastal situations, resisting maritime exposure[1]. Plants are hardy to about -15°c[4]. A fast-growing plant, it is very tolerant of pruning and can be cut right back to the base if required[K]. The presence of this plant growing wild was supposed to indicate areas where oil might be found[5]. Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.
References
Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00
Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press 1987-00-00 ISBN 0942375009
Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-86318-386-7
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Coffey. T. The History and Folklore of North American Wild Flowers. Facts on File. 1993-00-00 ISBN 0-8160-2624-6
Britton. N. L. Brown. A. An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada Dover Publications. New York. 1970-00-00 ISBN 0-486-22642-5
Diggs, Jnr. G.M.; Lipscomb. B. L. & O'Kennon. R. J Illustrated Flora of North Central Texas Botanical Research Institute, Texas. 1999-00-00 http://artemis.austincollege.edu/acad/bio/gdiggs/NCTXpdf.htm
Fernald. M. L. Gray's Manual of Botany. American Book Co. 1950-00-00