Baccharis patagonica PFAF Plant Database

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Baccharis patagonica - Hook.&Arn.

Common Name

Family

Asteraceae or Compositae

Synonyms

Known Hazards

None known

Habitats

Rock crevices, forest margins and coastal sands[69].

Range

Southern S. America - Argentina, Chile.

Edibility Rating

Medicinal Rating

Care

Summary

Physical Characteristics

Baccharis patagonica is an evergreen Shrub growing to 3 m (9ft) by 3 m (9ft) at a slow rate.
It is hardy to zone 8 and is not frost tender. It is in leaf 12-Jan It is in flower in May. The flowers are dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required) and are pollinated by Insects.The plant is not self-fertile.

Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils and can grow in saline soils.
It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure.

Habitats
Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Hedge;

Edible Uses
None known

Medicinal Uses
Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally. None known

Other Uses

Fuel; Hedge; Hedge.

A very good hedge for exposed maritime conditions[166, 182, 200]. It is exceedingly tolerant of maritime exposure and amenable to clipping, though it is rather slow growing[K]. Plants tend to be as wide or wider than they are tall and produce a very dense weed-excluding cover[K]. Plants have an extensive root system and can be grown on sand or thin coastal soils in order to bind the soil[200]. Resinous secretions on the leaves and wood make this a useful fuel[11]. It is a fairly small plant though and would not be a very productive source.

Cultivation details

Succeeds in almost any soil, from heavy clays to pure sands, if it is growing in a sunny position[11, 200. Tolerates saline conditions[200]. A dense evergreen shrub, it is useful for coastal situations and is exceedingly tolerant of maritime exposure[49, 166, 182]. A rather slow-growing plant, increasing in height by 15 - 25cm a year[K]. Plants are hardy to about -15°c[200]. Very tolerant of pruning, plants produce an abundance of new shoots if they are cut back to the ground[K]. Flowers are produced on the previous year's growth[K]. Considered to be very attractive by most visitors to our trial grounds, the foliage and flowers are strongly aromatic, especially on hot sunny days[K]. Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.

Propagation

Seed - no pre-treatment is required[113]. Surface sow in pots a cold frame in the spring, do not let the compost dry out. Germination usually takes place within 1 - 2 weeks[113]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the cold frame for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame. Very easy[K]. Cuttings of mature wood of the current seasons growth, November in a frame. Easy[K].

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Expert comment

Author
Hook.&Arn.

Botanical References
1169200

Links / References

[K] Ken Fern Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.

[11]Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement.

A classic with a wealth of information on the plants, but poor on pictures.

[49]Arnold-Forster. Shrubs for the Milder Counties.

Trees and shrubs that grow well in Cornwall and other mild areas of Britain. Fairly good, a standard reference book.

[69]Moore. D. M. Flora of Tierra del Fuego.

Standard work for this part of S. America. Excellent details of habitat and a few notes on plant uses.

[113]Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation.

A very detailed book on propagating trees. Not for the casual reader.

[166]Taylor. J. The Milder Garden.

A good book on plants that you didn't know could be grown outdoors in Britain.

[182]Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos.

Contains a wide range of plants with a brief description, mainly of their ornamental value but also usually of cultivation details and varieties.

[200]Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.

Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.

Readers comment

Elizabeth H.
Judith Foester	Mon Mar 27 2006

This is such a useful photo for identifying the plant in the wild.

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