Baccharis halimifolia L.

Groundsel Tree; Consumption Weed; Sea Myrtle

Shrub

Perennial

Vascular

Groundsel Tree is an evergreen shrub in the Sunflower family (Asteraceae). It is native to coastal areas of Alabama, but has spread inland and now occurs almost statewide. Groundsel Tree occurs on dunes, in salt marshes, in clear cuts, along roads and rail roads, and on other disturbed sites. It is one of the few woody members of the Sunflower family to occur in Alabama. Groundsel Tree is an evergreen shrub (semi-evergreen in colder areas) growing to a height of six to twelve feet. The bark is gray and occurs as narrow strips with deep furrows. Leaves are alternate, petiolate, simple, and have a few large teeth near the apex. The leaves are glabrous and glad dotted. The non-showy flowers are produced in heads. Groundsel Tree is dioecious—male and female flowers are produced on separate plants. Heads are arranged in terminal panicles. The heads are solitary or in clusters of 2-3 and mostly peduncled. Staminate heads have 25-30 yellow-green disc flowers and pistillate heads have 20-30 disc flowers with long white hairs (pappus) extending out from the heads. The fruit is an achene with a tuff of bright white pappus (hairs that aid in wind dispersal). Groundsel Tree is a fast-growing shrub that is tolerant of flooding, salt water, and drought. The flowers produce an abundance of nectar and attract many insects. Groundsel Tree is occasionally used as a landscape plant, but its short life span and brittle wood limit its use. It is available from some nurseries, especially ones near the coast, or it can be grown from seed or cuttings. It requires full sun for best growth.--A. Diamond

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Native

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