Baccharis
Baccharis (pronounced /ˈbækərɪs/) is a genus of perennials and shrubs in the family Asteraceae. They are commonly known as baccharises but sometimes referred to as "brooms", because many members have small thin leaves resembling the true brooms. 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", and in fact Baccharis is in the same family as the true groundsels, Senecio.
The 250-400 species occur throughout the Americas. The genus is named after Bacchus, the Roman god of wine.
If present, the leaves 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 staminate) and pistillate flowers.
Ecology and uses
Several species are of interest for cultivation, as the dense but flexible stem structure makes for a good windbreak. Other species, particularly Eastern Baccharis (B. halimifolia), have become invasive weeds in places such as Australia and Spain, where they are not native. On the other hand, a few Baccharis species (especially from the northern Andes) are almost extinct due to habitat destruction.
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 Baccaris is viscidone.
Some species are toxic to cattle.
Baccharis species 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 larve 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).
The flowers are rich in nectar, and several species are good honey plants. Particularly B. dracunculifolia is highly esteemed by beekeepers.
Classification
Baccharis is related to the genera Archibaccharis and Heterothalamus.
Selected species
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Baccharis articulata (Lam.) Pers.
Baccharis arbutifolia
Baccharis arenaria
Baccharis aretioides
Baccharis brachylaenoides DC.
Baccharis brachyphylla
Baccharis caespitosa (Ruiz & Pav.) Pers.
Baccharis concava (Ruiz & Pav.) Pers.
Baccharis douglasii – Saltmarsh Baccharis, Douglas' Baccharis
Baccharis dracunculifolia DC.
Baccharis eggersii
Baccharis emoryi
Baccharis fusca
Baccharis genistelloides Pers.
Baccharis gracilis DC.
Baccharis halimifolia – Eastern Baccharis, Groundsel Bush, Groundsel Tree, Consumption Weed, Cotton-seed Tree, Silverling
Baccharis hambatensis
Baccharis hieronymi
Baccharis huairacajensis
Baccharis intermixta Gardner
Baccharis juncea (Lehm.) Desf.
Baccharis klattii
Baccharis ligustrina DC.
Baccharis linearis – Chilean Romerillo
Baccharis microdonta DC.
Baccharis myrsinites
Baccharis odorata – Tayanka Bush
Baccharis pilularis – Bush Baccharis, Coyote Brush, Coyote Bush, Chaparral Broom
Baccharis platypoda DC.
Baccharis plummerae
Baccharis punctulata DC.
Baccharis racemosa (Ruiz & Pav.) DC.
Baccharis rhomboidalis Remy
Baccharis sagittalis
Baccharis salicifolia – Mulefat, Seep-willow, Water-wally
Baccharis sarothroides – Broom Baccharis, Desert Broom
Baccharis semiserrata DC.
Baccharis sergiloides – Desert Baccharis
Baccharis serrula Sch.Bip.
Baccharis sessifolia L.
Baccharis sphaerocephala – Chilean Radin
Baccharis tricuneata (L.f.) Pers.
Baccharis tridentata Vahl
Baccharis trimera (Less.) DC.
Baccharis uncinella DC.
Baccharis vanessae
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Translation
The word "Baccharis" occurs as such in the following languages: English, Catalan, Spanish, French, Portuguese, Romanian.
Translation(s) in other languages: Danish: Korsrod, Lithuanian: Varva, Quechua: Ch'illka.
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