PlantPeers
Back to Catalog
No image available
Asteraceae FAMILY

Baccharis halimifolia

Baccharis halimifolia

Edibility
0/5
Medicinal
2/5

Safety & Hazards

The leaves contain a cardiotoxic glycoside known to cause the death of sheep if they eat about one percent of their body weight in leaves[1]. Visible symptoms of poisoning range from mild depression followed by recovery, to extreme listlessness and stupor followed by death. The toxic compound attacks the hepatic and circulatory systems[2]. The plant may aggravate hay fever symptoms for some people[2].

Cultivation Details

HabitDeciduous Shrub
GrowthMedium

Plants are hardy to about -15°c[3]. Succeeds in a sunny position, though also tolerant of moderate shed[3, 2]. Grows well in any well-drained soil[4, 5], from moderately heavy clays to pure sands[6]. Tolerates saline conditions and dry soils[5, 3]. A useful shrub for coastal situations, resisting maritime exposure[4]. The plant can tolerate occasional inundation of the soil[7]. A fast-growing plant, it is very tolerant of pruning and can be cut right back to the base if required[PFAF]. Plants are intolerant of fire and can only regenerate on a burnt site by means of seeds being blown in from surrounding areas[2]. Plants can begin producing seed in their third year of growth[2]. The plant is probably one of the most prolific seed producers ever recorded. The numbers of seeds per female plant in one season is variously estimated at between 10,000 and 450,000 - 900,000, whilst one report has estimated as high as 1,500,000[7]. The leaves secrete a sticky resin, thought to deter herbivory by all but the most specialized insects[2]. This species hybridizes in the wild with Baccharis neglecta and Baccharis angustifolia[1]. A dioecious species - both male and female forms must be grown if fruit and seed are required.

Propagation

Seed - no pre-treatment is required[6]. 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[6]. 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, mid summer in a frame. Very easy[PFAF]. Cuttings of mature wood of the current seasons growth, late autumn in a frame. Easy[PFAF]. Cite as: Temperate Plants Database, Ken Fern. temperate.theferns.info. 2026-02-20. <temperate.theferns.info/plant/Baccharis+halimifolia>

Pollinators

Wind, Insects

References

  1. [1]Flora of N. America — http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/fna/ ↩︎An on-line version of the flora with an excellent description of the plant including a brief mention of plant uses.
  2. [2]Fire Effects Information System — http://www.feis-crs.org/feis/ ↩︎An on-line information site with comprehensive information on over 1,100 species of plant. Mainly developed to supply information on the effects of fire on plants and animals, it also contains a wealth of other information on the plants
  3. [3]The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. — Huxley. A. · MacMillan Press · 1992 · ISBN 0-333-47494-5 ↩︎Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
  4. [4]Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. — Bean. W. · Murray · 1981 · ISBN - ↩︎A classic with a wealth of information on the plants, but poor on pictures.
  5. [5]The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers — Brickell. C. · Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. · 1990 · ISBN 0-86318-386-7 ↩︎Excellent range of photographs, some cultivation details but very little information on plant uses.
  6. [6]The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. — Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. · Athens Ga. Varsity Press · 1987 · ISBN 0942375009 ↩︎A very detailed book on propagating trees. Not for the casual reader.
  7. [7]Invasive Species Compendium — http://www.cabi.org ↩︎An immense resource - in depth information on over 900 species of invasive plants (it also has information on animals, fungi etc).
  8. [8]Gray's Manual of Botany.Eighth Edition — Fernald. M. L. · American Book Co.; New York · 1950 · ISBN 0442222505 ↩︎A bit dated but a good and concise flora of the eastern part of N. America.
  9. [9]An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada — Britton. N. L. Brown. A. · Dover Publications. New York. · 1970 · ISBN 0-486-22642-5 ↩︎Reprint of a 1913 Flora, but still a very useful book.
  10. [10]The History and Folklore of North American Wild Flowers. — Coffey. T. · Facts on File. · 1993 · ISBN 0-8160-2624-6 ↩︎A nice read, lots of information on plant uses.
  11. [PFAF]Plants for a Future — pfaf.org ↩︎