Baccharis viminea
Mule's Fat
a perennial woody evergreen member of the Baccharis genus in the family Compositae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Compositae
- Genus
- Baccharis
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Foliage
- evergreen
- Woodiness
- woody
- Height
- 4 m
- Fertility
- Insects
- Flower type
- hermaphrodite
- Pollinators
- Insects
Uses
Edible uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Young shoots - cooked[4]. Roasted and eaten as a famine food when little else is available[4].
- Plant part
- Leaves
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.
A decoction of the leaves and stems has been used as a female hygienic agent[4]. An infusion of the leaves has been used as an eyewash and has also been applied to bruises, wounds or insect stings[4].
- Product or use
- Ophthalmic
- Product or use
- Skin
- Product or use
- Stings
Material uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
An effective ground-cover plant for sunny banks[3]. The plant has an extensive root system and is very useful for stabilizing sand dunes etc[3]. The leaves have been used as a tonic wash for the scalp and hair to prevent baldness[4]. A charcoal made from the stems has been used to make gunpowder[4].
- Product or use
- Hair care
Ecology and functions
- Ecosystem niche
- Soil surface
Environment
- Range
- South-western N. America - California to Mexico.
- Habitat
- Dry stream beds, ditch banks etc, usually below 450 metres[5].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- no shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 8+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy, clay
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline
- Drainage
- well drained
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
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 almost any soil, from heavy clays to pure sands, if it is growing in a sunny position[1][3]. Very tolerant of poor dry soils[3]. This species is not hardy in the colder areas of the country, it requires an almost frost-free climate and tolerates temperatures down to between -5 and -10°c[3]. Plants respond well to trimming[3]. 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
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9
Munz. A California Flora. University of California Press 1959-00-00