FPS58 Baccharis halimifolia Saltbush1 Edward F. Gilman, Dennis G. Watson, Ryan W. Klein, Andrew K. Koeser, Deborah R. Hilbert and Drew C. McLean2 Introduction General Information Saltbush is native to coastal and interior wetlands and is Scientific name: Baccharis halimifolia most often seen invading this type of landscape. It is often Pronunciation: BACK-uh-riss hal-lim-if-FOLE-ee-uh seen in its native habitat with wax myrtle in wet sites. The Common name(s): Saltbush, groundsel bush, sea myrtle yellow and white flowers bring this rarely-noticed plant into Family: Asteraceae view in the fall landscape. The 1- to 3-inch-long leaves and Plant type: Shrub shrubby habit allow it to blend into the background in most USDA hardiness zones: 5 through 10 (Figure 2) landscapes. Seeds are poisonous if they are eaten. Planting month for zone 7: year round Planting month for zone 8: year round Planting month for zone 9: year round Planting month for zone 10 and 11: year round Origin: Native to Massachusetts, south to Florida, and west to Texas and northern Mexico UF/IFAS Invasive Assessment Status: Native Uses: Hedge; specimen; border; mass planting; small parking lot islands (< 100 square feet in size); medium- sized parking lot islands (100-200 square feet in size); large parking lot islands (> 200 square feet in size) Description Height: 8 to 12 feet Spread: 6 to 12 feet Plant habit: Vase shape; round Figure 1. Full Form—Baccharis halimifolia: Saltbush. Plant density: Moderate Credits: UF/IFAS Growth rate: Moderate Texture: Fine 1. This document is FPS58, one of a series of the Environmental Horticulture Department, UF/IFAS Extension. Original publication date October1999. Revised December 2018. Visit the EDIS website at https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu for the currently supported version of this publication. 2. Edward F. Gilman, professor emeritus, Environmental Horticulture Department; Dennis G. Watson, former associate professor, Agricultural Engineering Department; Ryan W. Klein, graduate assistant, Environmental Horticulture Department; Andrew K. Koeser, assistant professor, Environmental Horticulture Department, UF/IFAS Gulf Coast Research and Education Center; Deborah R. Hilbert, graduate assistant, Environmental Horticulture Department, GCREC; and Drew C. McLean, biological scientist, Environmental Horticulture Department, GCREC; UF/IFAS Extension, Gainesville, FL 32611. The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research, educational information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function with non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations. For more information on obtaining other UF/IFAS Extension publications, contact your county’s UF/IFAS Extension office. U.S. Department of Agriculture, UF/IFAS Extension Service, University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A & M University Cooperative Extension Program, and Boards of County Commissioners Cooperating. Nick T. Place, dean for UF/IFAS Extension. Figure 2. Shaded area represents potential planting range. Foliage Leaf arrangement: Alternate Leaf type: Simple Leaf margin: Dentate Leaf shape: Ovate to obovate Figure 4. Flower, Male—Baccharis halimifolia: Saltbush Leaf venation: None, or difficult to see Credits: UF/IFAS Leaf type and persistence: Deciduous Leaf blade length: 1 to 3 inches Leaf color: Dark to medium gray green on top, pale green to almost silvery underneath Fall color: No fall color change Fall characteristic: Not showy Figure 5. Flower, Female—Baccharis halimifolia: Saltbush Credits: UF/IFAS Fruit Figure 3. Leaf—Baccharis halimifolia: Saltbush. Fruit shape: Oval Credits: UF/IFAS Fruit length: ½ inch Fruit cover: Dry or hard achene Flower Fruit color: White Flower color: Male—yellow; female—white Fruit characteristic: Showy; attached to tufts of cotton- Flower characteristic: Fall flowering; emerges in clusters like bristles known as pappus; only produced on female along branches; female—feathery bristles specimens Flowering: Late summer to mid fall Fruiting: Mid to late fall Baccharis halimifolia Saltbush 2 Trunk and Branches Use and Management Trunk/branches: Not particularly showy; can be trained to Saltbush is rarely planted by designers and horticulturists, grow with a short, single trunk; typically multi-trunked or perhaps because it is too ‘common’ in native stands. A clumping stems; no thorns useful shrub or small tree for reclaiming wet sites, saltbush Bark: Reddish brown to gray, smooth, and becoming could be used more frequently near retention basins and furrowed with age drainage ditches. It has a good tolerance to brackish water. Current year stem/twig color: Brown It is well suited for planting in wet sites throughout the Current year stem/twig thickness: Thin state. With proper care to remove recurring dead wood, nice small-tree specimens can be created. These can become nice additions to many landscape. They come into flower and are attractive at a time when few other small trees and shrubs are flowering. Pests and Diseases No serious pests or diseases appear to affect this plant. Reference Koeser, A.K., Friedman, M.H., Hasing, G., Finley, H., Schelb, J. 2017. Trees: South Florida and the Keys. Gainesville: University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. Figure 6. Bark—Baccharis halimifolia: Saltbush Credits: UF/IFAS Culture Light requirement: Full sun to partial shade Soil tolerances: Acidic; slightly alkaline; sand; clay; loam; wet to well-drained Drought tolerance: Moderate Soil salt tolerances: Moderate Aerosol salt tolerance: High Plant spacing: 36 to 60 inches Other Roots: Not applicable Winter interest: plant has winter interest due to unusual form, nice persistent fruits, showy winter trunk, or winter flowers Outstanding plant: not particularly outstanding Invasive potential: native plant that often reproduces into nearby landscapes Pest resistance: no serious pests are normally seen on the plant Baccharis halimifolia Saltbush 3.