Baccharis halimifolia
groundsel tree, sea myrtle, salt bush
Nomenclature
Common Name:
Synonym(s):
Genus species:
Family:
Asteraceae (Compositae)
Plant Specifics
Form:
Size:
Life Span:
Long-lived perennial
Flower Color:
Fruit Color:
Phenology:
Noted For:
Landscaping
Recommended Uses:
Specimen plant in casual settings. Also useful as a natural screen or buffer plant. Rain gardens or bioswales.
The primary horticultural feature is the silvery, plume-like achenes which appear in the fall on female plants. The fruits can provide a white haze for several weeks in the fall.
Considerations:
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Availability:
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Propagation:
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Light:
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Moisture Tolerance:
Always Flooded---------------------------------Extremely Dry
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Usually moist, occasional inundation -to- Not wet but not extremely dry
Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:
Unknown
Salt Spray/Salty Soil Tolerance:
Some tolerance to salty wind but not direct salt spray
Soil or Other Substrate:
Sand, Loam
Soil pH:
Suitable to Grow In:
8A,8B,9A,9B,10A,10B,11
Ecology
Wildlife:
Although primary wind pollinated, it attracts bees including Colletes mandibularis, C. simulans, C. thysanellae, Agapostemon splendens, Augochlorella aurata, Augochloropsis metallica, Dialictus miniatulus, D. nymphalis, Halictus ligatus, Sphecodes heraclei, Apis mellifera (honeybee) (Deyrup et al. 2002). Also said to attract butterflies.
Seeds are wind dispersed but also eaten by small birds and other wildlife.
Native Habitats:
Comments:
Ethnobotany:
General Comments:
Fruiting late in the fall, the fruits during the fall add substantial interest to a casual garden.
Baccharis glomerulifolia is similar in appearance and in potential cultural uses.
