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Asteraceae FAMILY

Baccharis pilularis

Baccharis pilularis

Edibility
0/5
Medicinal
2/5

Safety & Hazards

None known

Cultivation Details

HabitEvergreen Shrub
Growth—

This species is not hardy in the colder areas of the temperate zone, it grows best an almost frost-free climate and tolerates temperatures down to between -5 and -10°c[1]. Succeeds in almost any soil, from heavy clays to pure sands, if it is growing in a sunny position[2, 1]. Very tolerant of poor dry soils[1]. Tolerates maritime exposure[1]. Plants respond well to trimming[1]. They can resprout even if cut back to ground level[3]. Plants can survive fire, growing again from the base, so long as the fire does not burn too hot - as can occur when there is a large grass component in the biomass[ The plant grows a taproot up to approximately 3.2 metres long; the lateral roots are also well developed[3]. Individual plants an live 10 - 15 years, but basal sprouting and layering may extend this lifespan[3]. A dioecious species - both male and female forms must be grown if fruit and seed are required.

Propagation

Seed - no pre-treatment is required[4]. 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[4]. 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+pilularis>

Pollinators

Insects

References

  1. [1]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.
  2. [2]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.
  3. [3]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
  4. [4]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.
  5. [5]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.
  6. [6]Native American Ethnobotany — Moerman. D. · Timber Press. Oregon. · 1998 · ISBN 0-88192-453-9 ↩︎Very comprehensive but terse guide to the native uses of plants. Excellent bibliography, fully referenced to each plant, giving a pathway to further information. Not for the casual reader.
  7. [PFAF]Plants for a Future — pfaf.org ↩︎