451 Species of Genus Baccharis

My Exploration of the Baccharis Genus

As a plant enthusiast, I’m always fascinated by the diversity and resilience of the plant kingdom. One genus that has particularly captured my attention is Baccharis, a group of perennials and shrubs belonging to the aster family (Asteraceae). Commonly known as baccharises, these plants are sometimes referred to as “brooms” due to their small, thin leaves that resemble those of true brooms.

This genus boasts over 450 species, making it one of the largest in the Asteraceae family. Its distribution spans across the Americas, with a concentration in the warmer regions of Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Chile, and Mexico. In the United States, Baccharis is found mainly in the southern states, particularly in California, where it thrives in diverse habitats, from coastal salt marshes to arid deserts.

Why I’m Drawn to Baccharis

Several factors contribute to my fascination with this genus. First and foremost, Baccharis species exhibit remarkable adaptability. They can tolerate a wide range of environmental conditions, including drought, salinity, and poor soil. This hardiness makes them valuable for ecological restoration and landscaping in challenging environments.

Secondly, Baccharis plays a crucial role in their ecosystems. They provide food and shelter for various insects, birds, and mammals. For instance, the Mule Fat (Baccharis salicifolia), a common species in California, is a vital food source for the California Mule Deer. Additionally, many Baccharis species are known to attract pollinators, such as bees and butterflies, with their abundant flowers.

Finally, some Baccharis species have traditional medicinal uses. Indigenous communities have long utilized these plants for treating various ailments, from skin infections to digestive issues. While modern research on the medicinal properties of Baccharis is ongoing, their historical significance adds another layer of intrigue to this genus.

Diving Deeper into Baccharis Species

The sheer diversity within the Baccharis genus is astounding. Here are:

1. Baccharis acutata (Alain) Borhidi
2. Baccharis alaternoides Kunth
3. Baccharis albida Hook. & Arn.
4. Baccharis × alboffii F.H.Hellw.
5. Baccharis albolanosa A.S.Oliveira & Deble
6. Baccharis aliena (Spreng.) Joch.Müll.
7. Baccharis alleluia A.S.Oliveira & Deble
8. Baccharis alnifolia Meyen & Walp.
9. Baccharis alpestris Gardner
10. Baccharis alpina Kunth
11. Baccharis altimontana G.Heiden, Baumgratz & R.Esteves
12. Baccharis amambayensis Zardini & Soria
13. Baccharis anabelae (Deble) G.Heiden
14. Baccharis angusticeps Dusén ex Malme
15. Baccharis angustifolia Michx.
16. Baccharis anomala DC.
17. Baccharis antioquensis Killip & Cuatrec.
18. Baccharis × antucensis F.H.Hellw.
19. Baccharis aphylla DC.
20. Baccharis apicifoliosa A.A.Schneid. & Boldrini
21. Baccharis aracatubensis Malag. & Hatschb. ex G.M.Barroso
22. Baccharis arbutifolia Vahl
23. Baccharis × arcuata F.H.Hellw.
24. Baccharis arenaria Baker
25. Baccharis aretioides Turcz.
26. Baccharis artemisioides Hook. & Arn.
27. Baccharis articulata Pers.
28. Baccharis auriculigera Hieron.
29. Baccharis × australis F.H.Hellw.
30. Baccharis axillaris DC.
31. Baccharis ayacuchensis Cuatrec.
32. Baccharis barragensis Cuatrec.
33. Baccharis beckii Joch.Müll.
34. Baccharis bicolor (Joch.Müll.) G.Heiden
35. Baccharis bifrons Baker
36. Baccharis bigelovii A.Gray
37. Baccharis bogotensis Kunth
38. Baccharis boliviensis (Wedd.) Cabrera
39. Baccharis boyacensis Cuatrec.
40. Baccharis brachyphylla A.Gray
41. Baccharis brachystachys (Baker) Malag. & J.Vidal
42. Baccharis brevifolia DC.
43. Baccharis brevipappa (McVaugh) G.L.Nesom
44. Baccharis breviseta DC.
45. Baccharis buchtienii H.Rob.
46. Baccharis burchellii Baker
47. Baccharis buxifolia Pers.
48. Baccharis cabrerae Ariza
49. Baccharis caespitosa Pers.
50. Baccharis caldasiana Cuatrec.
51. Baccharis calvescens DC.
52. Baccharis camporum DC.
53. Baccharis campos-portoana Malag.
54. Baccharis cana Joch.Müll.
55. Baccharis capitalensis Heering
56. Baccharis caprariifolia DC.
57. Baccharis × caramavidensis F.H.Hellw.
58. Baccharis chachapoyasensis Cuatrec.
59. Baccharis chaparensis (Joch.Müll.) G.Heiden
60. Baccharis charucoensis G.L.Nesom
61. Baccharis chilcaura Hieron.
62. Baccharis × chillanensis F.H.Hellw.
63. Baccharis chionolaenoides D.B.Falkenb. & Deble
64. Baccharis chrysophylla (F.H.Hellw. ) G.Heiden
65. Baccharis ciliata Gardner
66. Baccharis claussenii Baker
67. Baccharis clavata (Joch.Müll.) G.Heiden
68. Baccharis cochensis Hieron.
69. Baccharis cognata DC.
70. Baccharis concava Pers.
71. Baccharis × concavoides F.H.Hellw.
72. Baccharis concinna G.M.Barroso
73. Baccharis conferta Kunth
74. Baccharis confertifolia Colla
75. Baccharis conyzoides DC.
76. Baccharis coridifolia DC.
77. Baccharis coronata Giuliano
78. Baccharis corymbosa Pers.
79. Baccharis crassicuneata G.L.Nesom
80. Baccharis crassipappa Deble & A.S.Oliveira
81. Baccharis × crenatolycioides F.H.Hellw.
82. Baccharis crispa Spreng.
83. Baccharis cultrata Baker
84. Baccharis curitybensis Heering ex Malme
85. Baccharis cutervensis Hieron.
86. Baccharis cymosa Phil.
87. Baccharis darwinii Hook. & Arn.
88. Baccharis davidsonii Cuatrec.
89. Baccharis deblei A.S.Oliveira & Marchiori
90. Baccharis decussata (Klatt) Hieron.
91. Baccharis deltoidea Baker
92. Baccharis × demissa F.H.Hellw.
93. Baccharis densiflora Wedd.
94. Baccharis dentata (Vell.) G.M.Barroso
95. Baccharis dependens Pers.
96. Baccharis dichotoma G.Heiden & L.D.Meireles
97. Baccharis dioica Vahl
98. Baccharis divaricata Hauman
99. Baccharis douglasii DC.
100. Baccharis dracunculifolia DC.
101. Baccharis dubia Deble & A.S.Oliveira
102. Baccharis dunensis A.A.Schneid. & G.Heiden
103. Baccharis effusa Griseb.
104. Baccharis elaeoides J.Rémy
105. Baccharis elliptica Gardner
106. Baccharis emarginata Pers.
107. Baccharis erectifolia Steyerm.
108. Baccharis erigeroides DC.
109. Baccharis erioclada DC.
110. Baccharis erosoricola Rzed.
111. Baccharis espadae Cuatrec.
112. Baccharis × exspectata F.H.Hellw.
113. Baccharis famatinensis Ariza
114. Baccharis farallonensis (Cuatrec.) G.Heiden
115. Baccharis fimbriata (Joch.Müll.) G.Heiden
116. Baccharis flabellata Hook. & Arn.
117. Baccharis flexuosiramosa A.A.Schneid. & Boldrini
118. Baccharis floccosa Deble & A.S.Oliveira
119. Baccharis floribundoides Cuatrec.
120. Baccharis fraterna Cuatrec.
121. Baccharis frenguellii Cabrera
122. Baccharis friburgensis G.Heiden, Baumgratz & R.Esteves
123. Baccharis frigida Kunth
124. Baccharis funkiae Bonif., G.Heiden, Valt. & Marchesi
125. Baccharis fusca Turcz.
126. Baccharis gaucha G.Heiden
127. Baccharis gaudichaudiana DC.
128. Baccharis genistelloides (Lam.) Pers.
129. Baccharis genistifolia DC.
130. Baccharis gibertii Baker
131. Baccharis gilliesii A.Gray
132. Baccharis glabrata (Hoover) G.Heiden
133. Baccharis glandulifera G.L.Nesom
134. Baccharis glaucescens (Chodat & Hassl.) Soria & Zardini
135. Baccharis glaziovii Baker
136. Baccharis glomerata Joch.Müll.
137. Baccharis glomeruliflora Pers.
138. Baccharis glutinosa Pers.
139. Baccharis gnaphalioides Spreng.
140. Baccharis gnidiifolia Kunth
141. Baccharis gracilis DC.
142. Baccharis granadina Cuatrec.
143. Baccharis grandicapitulata Hieron.
144. Baccharis grandiflora Kunth
145. Baccharis grandimucronata Malag.
146. Baccharis grisebachii Hieron.
147. Baccharis haitiensis Heering
148. Baccharis halimifolia L.
149. Baccharis hambatensis Kunth
150. Baccharis havardii A.Gray
151. Baccharis heeringiana Malag.
152. Baccharis helichrysoides DC.
153. Baccharis hemiptera G.Heiden & A.A.Schneid.
154. Baccharis herbacea (McVaugh) G.L.Nesom
155. Baccharis heterophylla Kunth
156. Baccharis hieronymi Heering
157. Baccharis hirta DC.
158. Baccharis horizontalis G.L.Nesom
159. Baccharis huairacajensis Hieron.
160. Baccharis humilis Sch.Bip. ex Baker
161. Baccharis hutchisonii Cuatrec.
162. Baccharis hyemalis Deble
163. Baccharis hypericifolia Baker
164. Baccharis ibitipocensis Deble
165. Baccharis illinitoides Malag.
166. Baccharis incisa Hook. & Arn.
167. Baccharis inexspectata Deble & A.S.Oliveira
168. Baccharis integrifolia (Joch.Müll.) G.Heiden
169. Baccharis intermedia DC.
170. Baccharis intermixta Gardner
171. Baccharis isabelae Soria & Zardini
172. Baccharis itapirocensis A.S.Oliveira & Deble
173. Baccharis itatiaiae Wawra
174. Baccharis jocheniana G.Heiden & Macias
175. Baccharis johnwurdackiana H.Rob.
176. Baccharis juncea (Cass.) Desf.
177. Baccharis junciformis DC.
178. Baccharis kessleri (Joch.Müll.) G.Heiden
179. Baccharis kingii Cuatrec.
180. Baccharis klattii Benoist
181. Baccharis kurtziana Ariza
182. Baccharis lancifolia Less.
183. Baccharis lapidosa Deble & A.S.Oliveira
184. Baccharis lateralis Baker
185. Baccharis latifolia Pers.
186. Baccharis ledifolia Kunth
187. Baccharis lehmannii Klatt
188. Baccharis leptocephala DC.
189. Baccharis leptophylla DC.
190. Baccharis leucocephala Dusén
191. Baccharis leucopappa DC.
192. Baccharis lewisii (H.Rob.) Joch.Müll.
193. Baccharis libertadensis (Jones) H.Rob.
194. Baccharis ligustrina DC.
195. Baccharis lilloi Heering
196. Baccharis linearifolia Pers.
197. Baccharis linearis Pers.
198. Baccharis longiattenuata A.S.Oliveira
199. Baccharis longipedicellata (Joch.Müll.) G.Heiden
200. Baccharis lorentzii (Joch.Müll.) Deble
201. Baccharis lychnophora Gardner
202. Baccharis lycioides J.Rémy
203. Baccharis lymanii G.M.Barroso
204. Baccharis macraei Hook. & Arn.
205. Baccharis macrantha Kunth
206. Baccharis macrocephala Sch.Bip.
207. Baccharis magellanica (Lam.) Pers.
208. Baccharis magnifica G.Heiden, Leoni & J.N.Nakaj.
209. Baccharis malibuensis R.M.Beauch. & Henrickson
210. Baccharis malmei Joch.Müll.
211. Baccharis mandonii Sch.Bip. ex Klatt
212. Baccharis marcetiifolia Benth.
213. Baccharis maxima Baker
214. Baccharis megapotamica Spreng.
215. Baccharis melanopotamica Speg.
216. Baccharis mesoneura DC.
217. Baccharis mexicana Cuatrec.
218. Baccharis microcephala DC.
219. Baccharis microdonta DC.
220. Baccharis milleflora DC.
221. Baccharis minor (F.H.Hellw. ) G.Heiden
222. Baccharis minutiflora Mart. ex Baker
223. Baccharis mollis Kunth
224. Baccharis montana DC.
225. Baccharis mornicola (Urb.) G.Heiden
226. Baccharis mucuchiesensis Hieron.
227. Baccharis muelleri Baker
228. Baccharis multibracteata (Joch.Müll.) G.Heiden
229. Baccharis multiflora Kunth
230. Baccharis multifolia A.S.Oliveira, Deble & Marchiori
231. Baccharis multipaniculata A.S.Oliveira & Deble
232. Baccharis mutisiana Cuatrec.
233. Baccharis mylodontis F.H.Hellw.
234. Baccharis myricifolia DC.
235. Baccharis myriocephala DC.
236. Baccharis myrsinites Pers.
237. Baccharis napaea G.Heiden
238. Baccharis neaei DC.
239. Baccharis nebulae Malag. & Hatschb. ex A.S.Oliveira
240. Baccharis nebularis G.Heiden
241. Baccharis neglecta Britton
242. Baccharis neoaustralis G.Heiden
243. Baccharis neorupestris Deble & A.S.Oliveira
244. Baccharis neotruncata G.Heiden
245. Baccharis nervosa DC.
246. Baccharis nesomiana Rzed. & Zamudio
247. Baccharis niederleinii Heering
248. Baccharis nipensis Urb.
249. Baccharis nitida Pers.
250. Baccharis nivalis Sch.Bip.
251. Baccharis notosergila Griseb.
252. Baccharis nummularia Heering ex Malme
253. Baccharis obdeltata G.Heiden
254. Baccharis oblongifolia Pers.
255. Baccharis obovata Hook. & Arn.
256. Baccharis obtusifolia Kunth
257. Baccharis occidentalis S.F.Blake
258. Baccharis ochracea Spreng.
259. Baccharis odorata Kunth
260. Baccharis opuntioides Mart. ex Baker
261. Baccharis orbiculata Deble & A.S.Oliveira
262. Baccharis orbignyana Klatt
263. Baccharis oreophila Malme
264. Baccharis organensis Baker
265. Baccharis orientalis Alain
266. Baccharis oxyodonta DC.
267. Baccharis pachycephala Hieron.
268. Baccharis padifolia Hieron.
269. Baccharis palmeri Greenm.
270. Baccharis palustris Heering
271. Baccharis pampeana A.S.Oliveira, Deble & Marchiori
272. Baccharis paniculata DC.
273. Baccharis papillosa Rusby
274. Baccharis paramicola Cuatrec.
275. Baccharis paranensis Heering & Dusén
276. Baccharis parvidentata Malag.
277. Baccharis parvifolia DC.
278. Baccharis patagonica Hook. & Arn.
279. Baccharis patens Baker
280. Baccharis paucicostata Joch.Müll. & Giuliano
281. Baccharis pauciflosculosa DC.
282. Baccharis pedersenii Cabrera
283. Baccharis pedunculata (Mill.) Cabrera
284. Baccharis pellucida Hieron.
285. Baccharis penningtonii Heering
286. Baccharis pentaptera (Less.) DC.
287. Baccharis pentlandii DC.
288. Baccharis pentodonta Malme
289. Baccharis pentziifolia Sch.Bip. ex Griseb.
290. Baccharis peruviana Cuatrec.
291. Baccharis petraea Heering
292. Baccharis petrophila R.E.Fr.
293. Baccharis phylicifolia DC.
294. Baccharis phylicoides Kunth
295. Baccharis phyteuma Heering
296. Baccharis phyteumoides DC.
297. Baccharis pilcensis F.H.Hellw.
298. Baccharis pilularis DC.
299. Baccharis platypoda DC.
300. Baccharis plummerae A.Gray
301. Baccharis pluricapitulata (Deble) G.Heiden
302. Baccharis poeppigiana DC.
303. Baccharis pohlii (Baker) Deble & A.S.Oliveira
304. Baccharis polifolia Griseb.
305. Baccharis polygama Ariza
306. Baccharis polygona Baker
307. Baccharis polyphylla Gardner
308. Baccharis potosiensis H.Rob.
309. Baccharis potrerillana (Ariza) G.Heiden
310. Baccharis praetermissa G.L.Nesom
311. Baccharis prunifolia Kunth
312. Baccharis psammophila Malme
313. Baccharis pseudoalpestris Malag.
314. Baccharis × pseudolycioides F.H.Hellw.
315. Baccharis pseudomyriocephala Malag.
316. Baccharis × pseudoneaei F.H.Hellw.
317. Baccharis × pseudopalenae F.H.Hellw.
318. Baccharis × pseudopilcensis F.H.Hellw.
319. Baccharis pseudotenuifolia Malag.
320. Baccharis pseudovaccinioides Malag.
321. Baccharis pseudovillosa Malag. & Vidal
322. Baccharis psiadioides (Less.) Joch.Müll.
323. Baccharis ptarmicifolia DC.
324. Baccharis pteronioides DC.
325. Baccharis pulchella Sch.Bip. ex Griseb.
326. Baccharis pululahuensis Hieron.
327. Baccharis pumila Joch.Müll.
328. Baccharis punctulata DC.
329. Baccharis pycnantha Phil.
330. Baccharis pycnocephala (F.H.Hellw. ) G.Heiden
331. Baccharis quitensis Kunth
332. Baccharis racemosa (Ruiz & Pav.) DC.
333. Baccharis ramboi G.Heiden & Macias
334. Baccharis ramiflora A.Gray
335. Baccharis raulii S.Díaz & Cuatrec.
336. Baccharis rectialata Valt., Bonif., G.Heiden & Marchesi
337. Baccharis regnellii Sch.Bip.
338. Baccharis reticularia DC.
339. Baccharis reticularioides Deble & A.S.Oliveira
340. Baccharis retusa DC.
341. Baccharis revoluta Kunth
342. Baccharis rhomboidalis J.Rémy
343. Baccharis riograndensis Malag. & J.Vidal
344. Baccharis rivularis Gardner
345. Baccharis rodriguezii Ariza
346. Baccharis rufescens Spreng.
347. Baccharis rufidula (Spreng.) Joch.Müll.
348. Baccharis rupicola Kunth
349. Baccharis sagittalis (Less.) DC.
350. Baccharis salicifolia (Ruiz & Pav.) Pers.
351. Baccharis salicina Torr. & A.Gray
352. Baccharis saliens Rusby
353. Baccharis samensis Joch.Müll.
354. Baccharis santelicis Phil.
355. Baccharis sarothroides A.Gray
356. Baccharis scabra Pers.
357. Baccharis scabrifolia G.Heiden
358. Baccharis scandens Pers.
359. Baccharis schomburgkii Baker
360. Baccharis scoparia Sw.
361. Baccharis scoparioides Griseb.
362. Baccharis scopulorum A.A.Schneid. & G.Heiden
363. Baccharis selloi Baker
364. Baccharis × septentrionalis F.H.Hellw.
365. Baccharis sergiloides A.Gray
366. Baccharis serranoi H.Rob.
367. Baccharis serrifolia DC.
368. Baccharis serrula Sch.Bip. ex Baker
369. Baccharis serrulata Pers.
370. Baccharis sessiliflora Vahl
371. Baccharis sessilifolia (Less.) DC.
372. Baccharis shaferi Britton
373. Baccharis simplex G.Heiden
374. Baccharis singularis (Vell.) G.M.Barroso
375. Baccharis sinuata Kunth
376. Baccharis sordescens DC.
377. Baccharis × spegazzinii F.H.Hellw.
378. Baccharis sphaerocephala Hook. & Arn.
379. Baccharis sphagnophila A.A.Schneid. & G.Heiden
380. Baccharis spicata (Lam.) Baill.
381. Baccharis squarrosa Kunth
382. Baccharis steetzii Andersson
383. Baccharis stenocephala Baker
384. Baccharis stenophylla Ariza
385. Baccharis stuebelii Hieron.
386. Baccharis stylosa Gardner
387. Baccharis × subaequalis F.H.Hellw.
388. Baccharis subalata Wedd.
389. Baccharis subbimera Hieron.
390. Baccharis subdentata DC.
391. Baccharis suberectifolia A.S.Oliveira & Deble
392. Baccharis subopposita DC.
393. Baccharis subtropicalis G.Heiden
394. Baccharis sulcata DC.
395. Baccharis supplex G.L.Nesom
396. Baccharis taltalensis I.M.Johnst.
397. Baccharis × tarapacana F.H.Hellw.
398. Baccharis tarchonanthoides DC.
399. Baccharis tarmensis Cuatrec.
400. Baccharis teindalensis Kunth
401. Baccharis tenuicapitulata Joch.Müll.
402. Baccharis tenuiptera Deble
403. Baccharis texana A.Gray
404. Baccharis thesioides Kunth
405. Baccharis thymifolia Hook. & Arn.
406. Baccharis tola Phil.
407. Baccharis tomentosa Pers.
408. Baccharis torricoi Joch.Müll.
409. Baccharis triangularis Hauman
410. Baccharis tricuneata (L.f.) Pers.
411. Baccharis tridentata Vahl
412. Baccharis trilobata A.S.Oliveira & Marchiori
413. Baccharis trimera (Less.) DC.
414. Baccharis trimeroides Malme
415. Baccharis trinervis Pers.
416. Baccharis trineura Soria & Zardini
417. Baccharis truncata Gardner
418. Baccharis tucumanensis Hook. & Arn.
419. Baccharis uleana Malag.
420. Baccharis ulicina Hook. & Arn.
421. Baccharis umbellata G.Heiden & Ribas
422. Baccharis uncinella DC.
423. Baccharis uniflora Pers.
424. Baccharis usterii Heering
425. Baccharis vacciniifolia Cuatrec.
426. Baccharis vaccinoides Kunth
427. Baccharis vanessae R.M.Beauch.
428. Baccharis vargasii (Joch.Müll.) G.Heiden
429. Baccharis variabiliflora Deble & A.S.Oliveira
430. Baccharis varians Gardner
431. Baccharis venulosoides Malag.
432. Baccharis vernalis F.H.Hellw.
433. Baccharis vernicosa Hook. & Arn.
434. Baccharis vincifolia Baker
435. Baccharis viscosissima (Kuntze) G.Heiden
436. Baccharis vismioides DC.
437. Baccharis vitis-idaea Oliv.
438. Baccharis × volckmannii Phil.
439. Baccharis volubilis Kunth
440. Baccharis wagenitzii (F.H.Hellw. ) Joch.Müll.
441. Baccharis woodii Joch.Müll.
442. Baccharis woytkowskii Joch.Müll.
443. Baccharis wrightii A.Gray
444. Baccharis wurdackeana Malag.
445. Baccharis xiphophylla Baker
446. Baccharis yungensis (Joch.Müll.) G.Heiden
447. Baccharis zamoranensis Rzed.
448. Baccharis zamudiorum Rzed.
449. Baccharis zoellneri F.H.Hellw.
450. Baccharis zongoensis Joch.Müll.
451. Baccharis zumbadorensis V.M.Badillo

My Continued Exploration

My journey with Baccharis is far from over. I’m eager to learn more about the lesser-known species, their ecological interactions, and their potential applications in ecological restoration and sustainable landscaping. I believe that a deeper understanding of this genus can offer valuable insights into plant adaptation, ecosystem dynamics, and the intricate connections between humans and the natural world.

As I continue to explore the world of Baccharis, I invite fellow plant enthusiasts to join me in appreciating the beauty, resilience, and ecological significance of this fascinating genus.