Baccharis glutinosa
Marsh baccharis, Marsh Baccharis
(c) Tomás Tamagno, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Perennial · Native
Baccharis glutinosa (Marsh baccharis) is a native California perennial in the Asteraceae family, recognized by unique as perennial herb from rhizome with 3-veined leaves.
Marsh baccharis is a California native perennial found in coastal regions including northern California coast, western Klamath Ranges, central western California, and southwestern California in coastal freshwater and saltwater marshes at elevations below 1,200 meters. Flowering from July to October, this plant produces white flowers in rounded to flat-topped clusters with small heads. Growing to nearly 2 meters tall with erect or ascending stems that are sticky and resin-gland-dotted, it emerges from an underground rhizome. Its lanceolate leaves are short-petioled, up to 130 millimeters long and 8 to 30 millimeters wide, with three main veins and gland-dotted surfaces. The fruits are small, approximately 0.6 to 1.5 millimeters long with five ribs and hairy tips.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 11 sympatric species; unique as perennial herb from rhizome with 3-veined leaves
Habitat and range
Habitat: Coastal freshwater and saltwater marshes, streambanks
Elevation: < 1200 m
Outside California: Oregon, Baja California, South America
Bloom period
Baccharis glutinosa blooms Jul-Oct.
How to tell it apart
vs Ericameria: Baccharis has sticky leaves and white fluffy seeds; Ericameria has narrow leaves and bright yellow ray flowers.; vs Salix: Baccharis has sticky resinous leaves and flower heads; Salix has fuzzy catkins and alternate leaves without resin.; vs Quercus: Baccharis has sticky leaves and fluffy seeds; Quercus has lobed or entire leaves and produces acorns.; vs Ceanothus: Baccharis has small clustered flower heads; Ceanothus has dense clusters of showy blue or white 5-petaled flowers.; vs Lepidospartum: Baccharis has sticky leafy branches; Lepidospartum has scale-like leaves on broom-like green stems.
Frequently asked questions
Is Baccharis glutinosa native to California?
Yes. Baccharis glutinosa is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Baccharis glutinosa bloom?
Baccharis glutinosa blooms Jul-Oct.
What plant family does Baccharis glutinosa belong to?
Baccharis glutinosa is in the Asteraceae family, genus Baccharis.
What habitat does Baccharis glutinosa grow in?
Baccharis glutinosa grows in Coastal freshwater and saltwater marshes, streambanks.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-06
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.