Baccharis salicina
Willow baccharis
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Family: Asteraceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Baccharis salicina (Willow baccharis) is a native California shrub in the Asteraceae family, recognized by toothed leaf margins and elongating pappus 8-12mm.
Willow baccharis is a California native shrub found in southern California regions including the Colorado Desert, coastal southern California, and western Transverse Ranges in stream banks and alkaline marshes at elevations from 60 meters below sea level to 1,600 meters. Flowering from May to November, this plant produces white to cream-colored flowers in tight clusters of 3 to 5 heads. Growing 1 to 3 meters tall with erect, much-branched stems that have ascending branches, it forms a distinctive shrubby structure. Its leaves are linear-oblong to narrowly oblanceolate, 25 to 70 millimeters long with wedge-shaped bases and toothed margins toward the tips, displaying three main veins. The fruit develops small glabrous seeds with 8 to 10 ribs and a pappus that elongates as the plant matures.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 9 sympatric species; key features are toothed leaf margins and elongating pappus 8-12mm
Habitat and range
Habitat: Stream banks, alkaline marshes
Elevation: -60-1600 m
Outside California: to Kansas, Texas, Mexico
Bloom period
Baccharis salicina blooms May-Nov.
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 salicina native to California?
Yes. Baccharis salicina is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Baccharis salicina bloom?
Baccharis salicina blooms May-Nov.
What plant family does Baccharis salicina belong to?
Baccharis salicina is in the Asteraceae family, genus Baccharis.
What habitat does Baccharis salicina grow in?
Baccharis salicina grows in Stream banks, alkaline marshes.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.