Baccharis

WEEDS

GENUS/SPECIES

Baccharis halimifolia, Baccharis sarothroides

FAMILY

Asteraceae

SYNONYMS

Common: Broom Baccharis, Desertbroom/Baccharis, Groundsel Bush, Eastern Baccharis
Botanical: Baccharis spp.

DISTRIBUTION

Southern US

SE Massachusetts along coast southward to S Florida
S Florida northwestward through S Texas to S California
S California northeastward to S Nevada and S Utah
S Utah southeastward through Texas to NW Mississippi
Central Mississippi eastward to central North Carolina
Central North Carolina northeastward to SE Massachusetts

Human Product Number - 225

Veterinary Product Number - 225

Comments

There are many species of Baccharis, and there are various common names for individual species such as “groundsel tree,” “desert broom,” and “seepwillow.” Most are large shrubs rather than small trees. They are typically found in moist settings—the western species more closely follow watercourses and moist ditches than the eastern species, the latter being more widespread within their ranges, finding much of the coastal plain and lower Piedmont suitable habitats. The usually whitish male and female flowers are always found on separate plants (that is, the species is dioecious). Although various insects pollinate the flowers, considerable pollen may get into the air to affect allergic patients. Blooming generally takes place in the fall, and the female flowers ripen their seeds that are blown about with the aid of bristles. The white clusters of mature seeds may be very conspicuous on the male shrubs before dispersal.