Baccharis halimifolia Groundsel-bush

Another groundsel bush in a dry-looking field.

Baccharis halimifolia bush. The foliage is light green and dense. The leaves are elliptical and broad.

The flowers/seeds of groundsel bush. The flowers cover the branch. They are white little tufts clustered close together, and the bases of the tufts are pink. Some small leaves are visible. It is pretty.

Water and a sandy shore, low shrubs of groundsel bush are blooming at the edge of the sand.

Two baccharis seed puffs that were harvested too early. The seed looks a little green.

A pile of baccharis seeds next to a ruler. The pile is about an inch wide. The individual seeds are less than one sixteenth of an inch long.

A pile of baccharis halimifolia seeds. The seeds are tiny specks, twice as long as they are thick. They look very dark magenta.

General

Erect, semi-evergreen to deciduous shrub. Often grows in flooded fresh and brackish tidal marshes, estuaries, back dunes, and open woods along the sea coast. Its cottony flowers are a beautiful sight during fall and provide nectar for many insect species. When the seed is developing in New England in October the plant has a wonderful appearance that can best be described as being covered with a light dusting of snow. A very hardy shrub that can withstand a wide range of temperatures and soil conditions. Resistant to most diseases. Seeds are toxic to humans, and leaves are toxic to livestock.

Plant Description

Has unusual bluish/silver leaves, which are slightly resinous and covered in small bumps. Has conspicuous, cottony flowers. Leaves are elliptical, almost occasionally diamond shaped, with irregular edges, sometimes entire edges and sometimes bluntly toothed. The flowers and fruit are fluffy white, silky tufts that grow in dense clusters and cover the plant.

Height (ft)
5-12'

Spread (ft)
5-10

Soil moisture
Dry to Wet

Soil types
Coarse to Medium textured mineral soils and/or soils with high organic content

Wetland indicator
FACW

Shade tolerance
Moderate

Bloom color
White

Bloom period
Late Summer to Fall

Fall conspicuous
Yes

Anaerobic tolerance
High

Drought tolerance
Moderate

Salinity tolerance
High

Self-Pollinating?
No

Range

Eastern coast of the United States, from Massachusetts to Florida, and around the Gulf of Mexico and the Mississippi River Delta.

Kartesz, J.T. 2024. Floristic Synthesis of North America, Version 1.0. Biota of North America Program (BONAP) [website http://bonap.org/]

Additional Information

According to USDA NRCS New Jersey State Office & Cape May Plant Materials Center, this species is being used in bioengineering research for its ability to root from dormant, unrooted cuttings. This species is salinity tolerant and great for stabilizing tidal shorelines.

Baccharis halimifolia Groundsel-bush

General

Plant Description

Range

Additional Information

New England Wetland Plants

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