Eastern Baccharis

Baccharis halimifolia

Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Asteraceae
Genus:
Baccharis
Species:
Baccharis halimifolia

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:
Perennial
Growth Habit:
Shrub , Tree
Height:
12-20 ft
Light Requirements:
Part Shade
Drought Tolerance:
Medium
Bloom Months:
aug, sep, oct
Bloom Colors:
White
Landscaping Shrub:
Yes

Native Range

United States: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia

Keystone Species Ranking

Caterpillar Keystone:
★★★☆☆ Based on number of butterfly and moth species using this genus as host plant (Source: National Wildlife Federation)
Bee Keystone:
★★★☆☆ Based on number of native bee species using this genus for pollen and nectar (Source: National Wildlife Federation)

Host Plant for Caterpillars

Aristotelia ivae, baccharis carpenterworm moth (Prionoxystus piger), black-dotted spragueia (Spragueia onagrus), brown-shaded gray moth (Anacamptodes defectaria), Bucculatrix ivella, Carpenterworm Moth (Prionoxystus robiniae), Coleophora sp., common gray (Anavitrinella pampinaria), common tan wave (Pleuroprucha insulsaria), Cryptothelea sp., dark-edged eusarca (Eusarca fundaria), Dichomeris serrativittella, Epiblema discretivana, Florida milkweed vine moth (Glyphodes floridalis), Gnorimoschema sp., Goldenrod Gall Moth (Epiblema scudderiana?), groundsel leafroller moth (Lorita baccharivora), Itame varadaria, Oidaematophorus balanotes, parallel-banded leafroller (Choristoneura parallela), Salt Marsh Moth (Estigmene acrea), Sonia paraplesiana, sparganothis fruitworm moth (Sparganothis sulfureana), white-dotted groundling (Condica videns), Yellow-striped armyworm (Spodoptera ornithogalli)

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:
sandy, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
pH:
5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
Drainage:
excellent drainage required
Moisture:
dry to moderate
Notes:
commonly found in coastal areas