Mule-Fat
Baccharis salicifolia
- Native to:
- Argentina, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guam, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Peru, United States, Uruguay, Venezuela
iNaturalist: © dmariana (iNaturalist #274390848)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Asteraceae
- Genus:
- Baccharis
- Species:
- Baccharis salicifolia
- USDA Symbol:
- BASA4
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub
- Height:
- 400 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun,Part Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- mar,apr,may,jun,jul,aug,sep,oct,nov
- Bloom Colors:
- white, cream
- Landscaping Shrub:
- Yes
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★★★☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
- Hummingbirds:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented hummingbird visits (GBIF)
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
appellaria emerald (Chlorochlamys appellaria), Fatal Metalmark (Calephelis nemesis)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Bees: ⚠️Western honey bee (Apis mellifera) Hummingbirds: Black-chinned Hummingbird (Archilochus alexandri) Butterflies:American snout butterfly (Libytheana carinenta), Great Purple Hairstreak (Atlides halesus), Marine Blue (Leptotes marina), ⚠️Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus), Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui), Queen butterfly (Danaus gilippus)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, butterflies, bees
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Salt Tolerant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts vigorously after fire from root crown; often increases in abundance post-fire.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- moist, well-drained sandy or loamy soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 8.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- tolerates poor drainage
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- often found near water sources like streams
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate readily without pretreatment; surface sow on moist soil and keep warm.