Eastern Baccharis
Baccharis halimifolia
- Native to:
- Bahamas, Canada, Cuba, Mexico, United States, Virgin Islands
Jean-Jacques MILAN
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Asteraceae
- Genus:
- Baccharis
- Species:
- Baccharis halimifolia
- USDA Symbol:
- BAHA
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub , Tree
- Height:
- 400 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Part Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- aug,sep,oct
- Bloom Colors:
- white
- Landscaping Shrub:
- Yes
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★★★★☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★★★☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Keystone Species Ranking
- Caterpillar Keystone:
- ★★★☆☆ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)
- Pollen Specialist Bee Keystone:
- ★★★☆☆ Native pollen specialist bee species supported by this genus (NWF)
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)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Bees: Common eastern (Bombus impatiens), Eastern Carpenter Bee (Xylocopa virginica), ⚠️Western honey bee (Apis mellifera) Moths:Bucculatrix ivella Butterflies:⚠️Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, butterflies, small mammals
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Salt Tolerant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts from root crown after fire; seeds germinate well on burned sites.
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
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate readily after cold stratification; surface sow on moist medium.
Where to Buy
Nationwide Seller
- Sheffield's Seed (seeds)
- Native Plants Nursery (nursery)