Groundselbush (Baccharis halimifolia, Sp. Pl.: 860 (1753))

Family: Asteraceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 860 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Baccharis

Vegetable: Unknown

Observations: E. Canada to Mexico, Bahamas, Cuba

Description

Groundselbush, scientifically known as Baccharis halimifolia, is a fascinating plant that has captured the attention of botanists and plant enthusiasts alike since its formal documentation in 1753. This versatile plant is a member of the Asteraceae family, which is renowned for its diverse and widespread species that populate various regions around the globe.

Native to an expansive range stretching from Eastern Canada to Mexico, including the Bahamas and Cuba, Groundselbush thrives in a variety of environmental conditions. This adaptability makes it a resilient species capable of colonizing coastal zones, marshlands, and even disturbed areas where other plants might struggle to establish themselves.

Baccharis halimifolia typically presents as a shrub that can grow up to several meters in height. It is best known for its distinctive foliage and the bushy appearance that gives the plant its common name. The leaves are generally broad and can vary in shape, sometimes presenting a holly-like edge which adds to their visual appeal. The plant also boasts clusters of small flowers which, while not striking in color, are notable for their unique structure and efficacy in attracting pollinators.

Ecologically, Groundselbush plays a significant role in its native habitats. It provides shelter for various insect species and acts as a food source and habitat for certain birds. Moreover, its dense growth often aids in stabilizing soils in coastal and marshy environments, reducing erosion and contributing to the overall health of the ecosystem.

While Baccharis halimifolia is celebrated for its hardiness and ecological contributions, it also requires cautious management. In some regions outside its native range, it has shown tendencies of becoming invasive, outcompeting local flora and altering the natural plant community structures. Therefore, it’s crucial that its introduction into new areas is carefully monitored.

In summary, Groundselbush symbolizes the remarkable adaptability and ecological significance of the Asteraceae family. Its robust nature and ability to thrive in diverse environments highlight both the beauty and complexity of plant species interactions within their ecosystems.

Common Names

Fra: baccharis à feuilles d’arroche, séneçon en arbre
Eng: consumption-weed, eastern baccharis, groundselbush, groundseltree, sea island-myrtle, sea-myrtle, tree groundsel, waterbrush, baccharis, consumption weed, cotton-seed tree, groundsel bush, groundsel tree, sea myrtle
Deu: kreuzstrauch
Nld: struikaster, breedbladig roerkruid, kruisstruik
Spa: bácaris, carqueja, chilca, chilca de hoja de orzaga, rompedallas
Dan: ørkenkorsrod
Swe: saltbaccharis
Cym: llwyn creulys, llwyni creulys
En: Groundselbush, Groundseltree, Tree groundsel, Sea Island-myrtle, Consumption-weed, Eastern baccharis, Sea-myrtle, Waterbrush, Groundsel Bush, Groundsel Tree, Salt bush, Sea myrtle, Baccharis, Cotton-seed tree, Consumption weed, Groundsel-bush
Hy: Բակխարիս կարապատերև
Zh: 香根菊
Cs: Pomíšenka nepitolistá
Da: Ørkenkorsrod
Nl: Breedbladig roerkruid, Kruisstruik, Struikaster
Fr: Baccharis à feuilles d’arroche, Séneçon en arbre, Baccharis à feuilles d’halimione
De: Kreuzstrauch
Hu: Tengerparti seprűcserje
It: Baccharis
Pt-br: Vassoura
Es: Bácaris, Carqueja, Chilca, Chilca de hoja de orzaga, Rompedallas
Sv: Saltbaccharis
Cy: Llyriad-y-dŵr bach, Llwyn Creulys, Llwyni Creulys

Synonyms

• Conyza halimifolia ((L.) Desf.)
• Baccharis halimifolia var. angustior (DC.)
• Baccharis halimifolia f. subintegrifolia (Heering)

Distribution

• Alabama (native)
• Arkansas (native)
• Bahamas (native)
• Connecticut (native)
• Cuba (native)
• Delaware (native)
• Florida (native)
• Georgia (native)
• Louisiana (native)
• Maryland (native)
• Masachusettes (native)
• Mexico Gulf (native)
• Mexico Northeast (native)
• Mississippi (native)
• New Jersey (native)
• New York (native)
• Nova Scotia (native)
• Oklahoma (native)
• Pennsylvania (native)
• Rhode I. (native)
• South Carolina (native)
• Texas (native)
• Virginia (native)
• Corse (introduced)
• France (introduced)
• Great Britain (introduced)
• Netherlands (introduced)
• New South Wales (introduced)
• Queensland (introduced)
• Spain (introduced)
• Transcaucasus (introduced)

Additional Images

Leaf

Taken Oct 13, 2020 by Josh Milligan (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 19, 2019 by Matthias Foellmer (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 14, 2022 by Cécile Du lorier-Douarin (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 27, 2019 by Mathieu VALENTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 27, 2021 by robles mario (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Oct 28, 2022 by christine Lesca Maillard (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 4, 2021 by Pierre Toulhoat (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 11, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Henri SCORDIA (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 27, 2019 by Mathieu VALENTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 5, 2021 by cscoq (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken May 28, 2019 by olivares benjamin (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 6, 2019 by Claire RATINAUD (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 10, 2022 by Sally Jenny (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 20, 2022 by Marion PRYBILSKI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 14, 2021 by Alex Tedder (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Sep 5, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Jean-Claude ECHARDOUR (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 13, 2020 by Josh Milligan (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 26, 2020 by bernard Parrin (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 19, 2022 by mia (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 19, 2019 by Matthias Foellmer (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Oct 26, 2022 by Kathleen Maher (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 12, 2022 by Chris Griggs (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 26, 2022 by Tristan Jaton-Maria (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 27, 2019 by Michael (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 19, 2019 by Matthias Foellmer (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Sep 20, 2011 by Tela Botanica − Bertrand BUI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 20, 2011 by Tela Botanica − Bertrand BUI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 15, 2011 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Apr 7, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 7, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3129663)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:319078-2)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Baccharis halimifolia L.)

Specifications

Growth