Baccharis halimifolia
| Baccharis halimifolia | |
| Light: |  |
| Moisture: |   |
| Hardiness: | 5 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Cross Pollinated | |
| Height: | 11' |
| Width: | 11' |
| Speed: | Moderate |
| Blooms: | Mid Fall |
| Native to: | |
| Medicinal Rating: | |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Baccharis halimifolia (common name: bush groundsel)
Propagation: Seed - no pre-treatment is required[1]. 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[1]. 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, July/August in a frame. Very easy[K].
Cuttings of mature wood of the current seasons growth, November in a frame. Easy[K].
Cultivation: Succeeds in a sunny position in any well-drained soil[2][3], from heavy clays to pure sands[1]. Tolerates saline conditions and dry soils[3][4]. A useful shrub for coastal situations, resisting maritime exposure[2].
Plants are hardy to about -15°c[4].
A fast-growing plant, it is very tolerant of pruning and can be cut right back to the base if required[K].
The presence of this plant growing wild was supposed to indicate areas where oil might be found[5].
Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.
Range: Eastern N. America - Massachusetts to Florida and Texas.
Habitat: Open woods, thickets and borders of marshes near the coast[6], often in saline soils[7].
Medicinal: The plant is used as a palliative and demulcent in consumption and cough[5].
Usage: A good fast-growing hedge for exposed maritime conditions[2][K]. It retains its leaves into the new year but is rather bare in late winter[K].
Plants have an extensive root system and can be grown on sand or thin coastal soils in order to bind the soil[4].
Resinous secretions on the leaves and wood make this a useful fuel[2]. It is a fairly small plant though and would not be a very productive source.
Pollinators: Insects
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Wind: Tolerates maritime wind exposure
Flower Type: Dioecious
Known Hazards: The plant is potentially toxic to livestck[8].
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Dirr, Michael and Charles Heuser. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press, 1987.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Bean, William. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Murray, 1981.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Brickell, Christopher. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers. Dorling Kindersley Publishers, 1990.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Coffey, Timothy. The History and Folklore of North American Wild Flowers. Facts on File, 1993.
- ↑ Lyndon, Merritt. Gray's Manual of Botany. American Book Co, 1950.
- ↑ Britton, Nathaniel and Addison Brown. An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada. Dover Publications, 1970.
- ↑ Diggs, George and Barney Lipscomb. Illustrated Flora of North Central Texas. Botanical Research Institute, 1999.