The Genus Baccharis
This genus of broomlike plants consists of about 480 species throughout the Americas, distributed mainly in the warmer regions of Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Chile and Mexico, and north into North America, as far north as Nova Scotia, Canada. These plants are most often found as large shrubs.
Baccharis species are some of the best nectar plants found. Entomologists will seek out these species when they are blooming to get a sense of what is in the area. Not only are these shrubs so popular with insects for nectar, but for insectivorous bugs, as well as birds, reptiles, and other organisms that will take advantage of the popularity of the plant. These plants are like their own little ecosystems. The intense chemistry of these plants (meant to repel herbivores) ironically also causes them to be a favorite larval host for many species of butterflies and moths which take advantage of the intense chemistry, rendering the larvae inedible to predators.
Baccharis spp. are larval hosts for the Fatal Metalmark (Calephelis nemesis).
The genus Baccharis is named after Bacchus (Dionysus), the Roman god of wine.
Baccharis brachyphylla
Short-Leaf False Willow
Broomy shrub reaching about 3-4’ tall. Dioecious plants (separate male and female plants) with female flowers producing dandelion-like floof (the fruits).
Full to part sun, moderate water with good drainage, hardy to at least 10°F.
Larval host for the fatal metalmark (Calephelis nemesis), and numerous moth species. Nectar-rich flowers benefit countless pollinators.
This plant has a similar chemistry to desert broom (Baccharis sarothroides) and can probably be used similarly as a medicine.
Baccharis is named for Bacchus, the god of wine, while brachyphylla means short-leaved.
Found on alluvial plains and slopes with well drained soils, from 1,500-4,000 ft in California and Nevada, west through Arizona and east to Texas, continuing south into Chihuahua, Sonora, and Baja California.
Baccharis salicifolia
Mule Fat
A tall, semi-evergreen willowy shrub growing to 12’ tall. Plants are dioecious (separate male and female plants)—both males and females are extremely nectar rich and the female flowers are followed by dandelion-like floof.
Plant in full sun to bright shade (plants with more sun will flower more). Provide regular water. Hardy to about 15°F.
Larval host for the fatal metalmark (Calephelis nemesis), and numerous moth species. Nectar-rich flowers benefit countless pollinators.
Decoctions of the plants are used topically for helping or preventing baldness, for bruises or wounds, and as a female hygienic agent.
Baccharis is named for Bacchus, the god of wine; salicifolia means willow-leaved.
Found along streams and drainages, often forming thickets, below 5,000 ft in California east to Oklahoma and Texas; south to South America.
Baccharis sarothroides
Desert Broom
Evergreen broomy shrub growing up to 10’ or more tall and wide. Plants are dioecious, with separate male and female plants. Female flowers will produce dandelion-like floof.
Full to part sun, moderate to low water, hardy to at least 15°F. Too many people think this plant is “invasive” but it is native. It DOES reseed a lot, as it is a pioneer species that occupies disturbed soils. So seedlings often come up in landscapes. Pull plants that you don’t want while they are young, as they quickly develop taproots. There are many male selections of this plant available in the trade. And if you plant the male plants, you don’t have to worry about reseeding.
Larval host for the fatal metalmark (Calephelis nemesis), and numerous moth species. Nectar-rich flowers benefit countless pollinators.
Tea made of the cooked twigs is used to treat colds, sinus headache, and general sore achey ailments. The same tea is also used as a rub for sore muscles.. The branches of the plant are tied into bundles to be used as brooms. Studies done on plant extracts show that desert broom is rich in leutolin, a flavonoid that has demonstrated anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and cholesterol lowering capabilities. Desert broom also has quercetin, a proven antioxidant, and apigenin a chemical which binds to the same brain receptor sites that Valium does.
Baccharis is named for Bacchus, the god of wine, sarothroides means broom-like.
Found in sandy-gravelly washes, watercourses, shallow drainages, flats, low hills, and roadsides, sometimes in saline soil from 1,000-5,500 ft in southern California, southern Nevada, Arizona, southern New Mexico, southwestern Texas, south into central Mexico.
Baccharis sergiloides
Desert Baccharis
Broom-like shrubs that reach about 6’ or more tall and wide. Dioecious plants (separate male and female plants) with female plants producing dandelion-like floof.
Full to part sun, moderate to regular water, hardy to about 15°F.
Larval host for the fatal metalmark (Calephelis nemesis), and numerous moth species. Nectar-rich flowers benefit countless pollinators.
This plant has a similar chemistry to desert broom (Baccharis sarothroides) and can probably be used similarly as a medicine.
Baccharis is named for Bacchus, the god of wine, while sergiloides is thought to come from French serge, for silken, referring most likely to the floofy seedheads.
Found in sandy washes and in canyons from 2,000-5,000 ft in California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, south into Sonora and Baja California.
Baccharis thesioides
Arizona Broom
Broom-like shrub reaching about 6’ tall. Plants dioecious (separate female and male plants) with female flowers producing dandelion-like floof fruits.
Full to part sun, good drainage, moderate water. Hardy to about 0°F.
Larval host for the fatal metalmark (Calephelis nemesis), and numerous moth species. Nectar-rich flowers benefit countless pollinators.
This plant has a similar chemistry to desert broom (Baccharis sarothroides) and can probably be used similarly as a medicine.
Baccharis is named for Bacchus, the god of wine, while thesioides means like the genus Thesium, a genus of flowering plants in the family Santalaceae.
Found on rocky slopes, often in canyons, in the oak-pine belt from 4,000-8,000 ft. in Arizona, New Mexico, and south into central Mexico.