Baccharis pilularis var. pilularis Twin Peaks

Native along coast from Sonoma to Monterey Co. A very adaptable groundcover. Near coast,1 ft. high 10 ft. wide, small leaves, evergreen. As you go inland the plant changes into a shrub. The leaves get greyer with a salty looking coating covering them. The center of the plant dies and you're left with a disgusting looking 6 foot shrub with a 6"trunk and no foliage for the first 4'. I had to burn the last plants up before I could rip them up. Many, many books or articles list this plant as fire proof. It is not unless you prune it to the ground each year and water it regularly. A 10' X 10' plant will fill one pick-up maybe two. It has to be pruned with a chainsaw or axe. A bad plant we have not grown or used since 1979.