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Baccharis

Baccharis is a genus of perennials and shrubs in the aster family (Asteraceae). They are not at all related to these however, but belong to an entirely different lineage of eudicots. B. halimifolia is commonly known as "groundsel bush", however true groundsels are found in the genus Senecio.

Baccharis, with over 500 species, is one of the largest genera in the Asteraceae. It is found throughout the Americas, distributed mainly in the warmer regions of Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Chile and Mexico, with B. halimifolia ranging northward along the Atlantic Coast to the southern tip of Nova Scotia in Canada.

If present, the leaves of Baccharis are borne along the stems in alternate fashion. Flowers are usually white or pinkish. There are no ray flowers, but many disk flowers which are either staminate or pistillate.

Some species of Baccharis are toxic to animals; in particular, consumption of B. coridifolia may lead to necrosis in the gastrointestinal tract of cattle, horses, sheep, and rabbits.

The genus Baccharis is named after Bacchus (Dionysus), the Roman god of wine.

Classification

Baccharis is related to the genera Archibaccharis and Heterothalamus. All Baccharis are dioecious except Baccharis monoica.

Ecology

Baccharis are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species, such as the swift moths Phymatopus californicus and P. hectoides. Those of the leaf-miner moths Bucculatrix dominatrix and B. seperabilis feed exclusively on bush baccharis (B. pilularis), B. ivella has been found on eastern baccharis, and B. variabilis is a polyphagous species which has been recorded on various Baccharis. The Coleophora case-bearers C. linosyridella and C. viscidiflorella are polyphagous species whose larvae have been recorded on the Bush Baccharis as well as other plants. Caterpillars of the owlet moth Schinia ocularis feed exclusively on broom baccharis (B. sarothroides).

Baccharis conferta, native to Mexico, was chosen to serve as nurse plants to protect from frost and drought newly planted tree seedlings of Abies religiosa in the world's first assisted migration experiment that coupled upslope planting of the fir tree in anticipation of climate change forcing overwintering Monarch butterflies to seek higher elevations in central Mexico.

Uses

Several species of Baccharis are of interest for cultivation, as the dense but flexible stem structure makes for a good windbreak.

Plants of this genus are rich in terpenes, and some are used in native or folk medicine. One that has been specifically described from Chilean and Argentinean Baccharis is viscidone.

Baccharis flowers are rich in nectar, and several species are good honey plants. Particularly B. dracunculifolia is highly esteemed by beekeepers.

Conservation

A few Baccharis species (especially from the northern Andes) are almost extinct due to habitat destruction. The northernmost occurrence of B. halimifolia, in Nova Scotia, Canada, is also receiving conservation attention.

Invasiveness

Some Baccharis species, particularly Eastern baccharis (B. halimifolia), have become invasive weeds in places such as Australia and Spain, where they are not native.

Selected species

For the complete list of species see List of Baccharis species.

Formerly placed in Baccharis

The following species are among the many that were considered to belong within Baccharis but are now classified in other genera:

References

Bibliography

External links