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Wasowski, Sally and Andy
Baccharis pilularis DC.
Coyotebrush, Chaparral broom, Coyote bush
Asteraceae (Aster Family)
Synonyms: Baccharis pilularis ssp. consanguinea
USDA Symbol: bapi
USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.
A leafy, much-branched, erect or rounded shrub, 4-8 ft. high and wide. Leaves are oval to rounded and shiny, bright green. Axillary and terminal flower clusters are numerous, made up of small, whitish-yellow flowers. Coyotebrush is perhaps the most common and widespread shrub in coastal brush communities in northern and central California, becoming gradually less common southward. The genus name Baccharis refers to the Roman god Bacchus, a god of vegetation and of wine; pilularis, meaning “pill-shaped,” refers to the round, flat flower heads.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Shrub
Leaf Retention: Evergreen , Semi-evergreen
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Leaf Shape: Obovate
Leaf Pubescence: Glabrous
Breeding System: Flowers Unisexual , Dioecious
Inflorescence: Axillary , Terminal
Leaf: Green
Flower:
Fruit:
Size Class: 6-12 ft.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: White , YellowBloom Time: Jul , Aug , Sep , Oct
Bloom Notes: Male flowers yellow, female flowers white.
Distribution
USA: CA , NM , ORNative Distribution: Coastal areas from s. CA to Tillamook Co., OR
Native Habitat: Wooded or scrubby, coastal hillsides & canyons below 2000 ft.
USDA Native Status: L48(N)
Growing Conditions
Water Use: LowLight Requirement: Sun , Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry
CaCO3 Tolerance: High
Drought Tolerance: High
Soil Description: Dry sandy soils.
Conditions Comments: Seems to be deer proof. Drought-tolerant. Very fast growing; can mature in 1-2 years. The typical B. pilularis is a prostrate or decumbent shrub to 1 ft. tall, occurring farther s. in CA.
Benefit
Conspicuous Flowers: yesInteresting Foliage: yes
Value to Beneficial Insects
Special Value to Native BeesSupports Conservation Biological Control
This information was provided by the Pollinator Program at The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.
Propagation
Propagation Material: Seeds , Softwood CuttingsDescription: Increase by sowing seed or taking cuttings in summer. Germinating seeds under mist or a plastic tent is recommended in some sources. Others suggest sowing seeds in sandy seed beds in fall or early spring.
Seed Collection: Collect ripe fruits by hand. Fruits can be rubbed to remove the pappus. Seeds are tiny. Keep seeds moist.
Seed Treatment: No pretreatment is necessary.
Commercially Avail: yes
Maintenance: Thin as needed.
Find Seed or Plants
Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.
View propagation protocol from Native Plants Network.
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is either on display or available from the following:Santa Barbara Botanic Garden - Santa Barbara, CA
Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR
Bibliography
Bibref 841 - Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants (2006) Burrell, C. C.Bibref 995 - Native Landscaping from El Paso to L.A. (2000) Wasowski, S. and A. Wasowski
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Recommended Species Lists
Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.
View Recommended Species pageAdditional resources
USDA: Find Baccharis pilularis in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Baccharis pilularis in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Baccharis pilularis
Metadata
Record Modified: 2009-04-08Research By: TWC Staff
