Groundsel Tree (Plants of Jamaica Bay Marsh)

Groundsel Tree

Baccharis halimifolia

Summary ⁴

Baccharis halimifolia is a fall-flowering deciduous or evergreen shrub commonly found in wetlands on the Atlantic and Gulf coastal plains of the eastern United States from Texas and Florida northward to Massachusetts, inland to the District of Columbia and Pennsylvania. The species is also occurs in Mexico, the West Indies, and southernmost Nova Scotia in Canada.

Description ⁵

More info for the terms: achene, dioecious, shrub

Groundsel-tree is a much-branched, common shrub that seldom exceeds 16
feet (5 m) in height or 6 inches (16 cm) d.b.h. [5,6]. Its leaves are
toothed, alternate, deciduous, and borne on green twigs [6].
Groundsel-tree leaves secrete a sticky resin, thought to deter herbivory
by all but the most specialized insects [15].

The unisexual, yellow flowers are borne on heads surrounded by bracts.
The fruit is a small achene tipped with straight bristles.
Groundsel-trees are dioecious and display some sexual dimorphism,
although positive sexual classification of the plant requires flower
examination. Male plants generally have longer shoots, more tender
leaves, grow faster, and flower and senesce earlier than female plants
[15].