Baccharis glutinosa

Identification

Gallery

Description

A deciduous willow -like shrub to 10 feet. Male and female flowers are on separate plants. Long, vertical stems make the appearance of this plant undesirable for the formal garden, but in a wild garden it would look appropriate and, as an added bonus, it attracts lots of mini-wildlife, such as pollinators and predators. Great wildlife plant, and indispensable in a wildlife garden. Also great to add diversity to a creekside planting. Baccharis species are the nectary sources for most of the predatory wasps, native skippers(small butterflies) and native flies. You will see the weirdest bugs on these plants. From green beetles to 1 inch long flies with short wings and no middle to their body, these plants sing'. I highly recommend these plants next to a back sitting area(they do not look good enough in the foreground) to attract wildlife'. Moreover, Bambi doesn't eat them!! They're great startups for bad sites.
The description here actually describes Baccharis salicifolia, or Mule Fat, the more woody species of Baccharis. The name here, Baccharis glutinosa, (Syn. Baccharis douglasii), actually belongs to the herbaceous species of Baccharis. Those darn botanists keep changing the names around!