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Baccharis viminea - DC.

Common Name Mule's Fat
Family Asteraceae or Compositae
USDA hardiness 7-10
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Dry stream beds, ditch banks etc, usually below 450 metres[71].
Range South-western N. America - California to Mexico.
Edibility Rating    (1 of 5)
Other Uses    (3 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Frost Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Full sun
Baccharis viminea Mule


Baccharis viminea Mule

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of shrub
Baccharis viminea is an evergreen Shrub growing to 4 m (13ft 1in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8. It is in flower from May to July. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

B. glutinosa. B. salicifolia. (Ruiz.&Pavon.)Pers.

Habitats

 Ground Cover;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves  Shoots
Edible Uses:

Young shoots - cooked[257]. Roasted and eaten as a famine food when little else is available[257].

References   More on Edible Uses

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.
Ophthalmic  Skin  Stings

A decoction of the leaves and stems has been used as a female hygienic agent[257]. An infusion of the leaves has been used as an eyewash and has also been applied to bruises, wounds or insect stings[257].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Hair  Soil stabilization

An effective ground-cover plant for sunny banks[200]. The plant has an extensive root system and is very useful for stabilizing sand dunes etc[200]. The leaves have been used as a tonic wash for the scalp and hair to prevent baldness[257]. A charcoal made from the stems has been used to make gunpowder[257].

Special Uses

Ground cover

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Succeeds in almost any soil, from heavy clays to pure sands, if it is growing in a sunny position[11, 200]. Very tolerant of poor dry soils[200]. This species is not hardy in the colder areas of the country, it requires an almost frost-free climate and tolerates temperatures down to between -5 and -10°c[200]. Plants respond well to trimming[200]. Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees, and Woodland Gardening. Our new book to be released soon is Edible Shrubs.

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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].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

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Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Baccharis genistelloidesCarquejaPerennial2.0 9-12  LMHNMWe040
Baccharis halimifoliaBush Groundsel, Eastern baccharis, High Tide Bush, Sea Myrtle, Salt BushShrub3.5 4-8 MLMHNDM013
Baccharis patagonica Shrub3.0 7-10 SLMHNM003
Baccharis pilularisDwarf Chaparral Broom, Coyotebrush , Chaparral BroomShrub0.5 8-10 FLMHNDM013

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Author

DC.

Botanical References

71200

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Subject : Baccharis viminea  
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