Flora of the Southeastern United States

Baccharis halimifolia Linnaeus. Common name: Silverling, High-tide-bush, Mulletbush, Saltbush, Waterbush, Groundsel Tree, Manglier, Sea-myrtle, Consumption-weed, Winter-willow. Phenology: Aug-Oct. Habitat: Fresh and brackish marshes, marsh borders, hammocks, moist abused land, roadsides, ditches, old fields, and a wide variety of disturbed areas. B. halimifolia is becoming increasingly common inland, and can be an especially aggressive invader in sunny sites after silvicultural disturbance. Distribution: Se. MA south to s. FL, west to TX, AR, and OK; West Indies. Moving northwards as a weed; reported for sw. MO (Aaron 2024).

ID notes: This shrub or small tree is conspicuous in the fall. Female individuals are much more showy, with the bright white pappus coloring the shrub and visible from far away. Male individuals are less conspicuous, with a yellowish-green, almost dingy, cast.

Origin/Endemic status: Native

Synonymy ⓘ: = Ar, Bah, C, F, Fl7, FNA20, G, GW2, K4, NcTx, NE, NY, Ok, Pa, POWO, RAB, S, SE1, Tat, Tn, Tx, Va, WH3, Franck et al (2021). Basionym: Baccharis halimifolia L. 1753

Links to other floras: = Baccharis halimifolia - FNA20

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Wetland Indicator Status:

• Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain: FAC
• Eastern Mountains and Piedmont: FACW
• Great Plains: FAC
• Northcentral & Northeast: FACW

Heliophily ⓘ: 8