Species Factsheets
Baccharis halimifolia
Eastern Baccharis
State Status: DL
PBS Status: Pennsylvania Rare (PR)
Federal Status:
Global Rank: G5
rank interpretation
State Rank: S3
Did You Know?
This species can rapidly colonise overgrazed pastures, making it difficult for livestock to move throughout and reduce productivity and carrying capacity of these pastures.
Description
Eastern baccharis (Baccharis hamimifolia) is a slender shrub growing 2m or more in height. The stems are hairless and angled. The leaves are alternately arranged, short-stalked, up to 6cm in length and 4cm in width, usually widest at or above the middle, coarsely toothed or less frequently not toothed on the margin, thickish in texture, and typically somewhat greasy or resinous to the touch. The flowers, appearing in September and October, are whitish and arranged in clusters at the top of the stem. Male and female flowers occur on separate plants, with the female plants being conspicuous when fruiting.
Rank Justification
Vulnerable in the nation or state due to a restricted range, relatively few populations (often 80 or fewer), recent and widespread declines, or other factors making it vulnerable to extirpation.
PABS
The PA Biological Survey (PABS) has assigned eastern baccharis a rarity status of Rare, in order to balance the relatively few populations that have been documented and the small state range with the relative adaptability of the species in being able to colonize disturbed habitats and thus not appearing to be endangered or threatened with extirpation.
Habitat
Eastern baccharis grows in natural coastal wetlands, but also thrives in certain types of drier disturbed ground, such as clearings, railroad grades, and along highways where there has been considerable road salt application.
Survey Dates
Flowers August - October
Distribution
In Pennsylvania, the species occurs at the
edge of its range, and it has been documented historically in several southeastern counties. It also sometimes occurs farther inland, particularly along major highways.
Threats
Natural habitats are threatened by exotic species, dredging and filling, and water pollution.
Management
The conservation of the species in Pennsylvania has concentrated on identifying populations that grow in more natural habitats as compared with those found in disturbed sites.
Conservation Status Map
NatureServe. 2017. NatureServe Explorer: An online encyclopedia of life [web application]. Version 7.1. NatureServe, Arlington, Virginia. Available https://explorer.natureserve.org.
https://keyserver.lucidcentral.org/weeds/data/media/Html/baccharis_halimifolia.htm
- NatureServe. 2018. NatureServe Explorer: An online encyclopedia of life [web application]. Version 7.1. NatureServe, Arlington, Virginia. Available at https://www.natureserve.org/explorer
- Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program. 2018.
- Rhoads, A.F. and W.M. Klein, Jr. 1993. The Vascular Flora of Pennsylvania. American Philosophical Society, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Rhoads, A.F. and T.A. Block.
- 2007. The Plants of Pennsylvania: An Illustrated Manual. 2nd edition. University of Pennsylvania Press, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
