Bayshore/ Groundsel Tree

COMMON NAME: Groundsel Tree

OTHER COMMON NAME(S): Sea Myrtle, Saltbush, Consumption-Weed, Cottonseed Tree, Oil Willow

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Baccharis halimifolia   

FAMILY: Asteraceae

COMMUNITY: Bayshore

STATUS: Native

LIFESPAN: Perennial

HEIGHT: 3 to 10 feet

FLOWERING TIME: Mid-August to late October

FRUITING TIME: Late September to November

DISTRIBUTION: Massachusetts to Florida and west to Texas along the Gulf Coast ~ Throughout coastal plain and coastal marshes in NJ ~ In marshes along the Delaware Bay

IDENTIFYING CHARACTERISTICS: Freely branched shrub ~ Leaves 3 inches, alternate, elliptic to oval, coarsely few-toothed, light gray-green ~ Flowers prominent white to yellow, white bristles surround the fruit, large clusters ~ Grows in full sun

GENERAL INFORMATION: : This large family (Asteraceae), commonly called the Aster Family, consists of 1,314 genera and 21,000 species of herbs, shrubs, climbers and a few trees is found chiefly in temperate and subtropical regions.  The plants are of value to man as ornamentals; a few are insecticides and fish poisons. The shrub was dedicated to Bacchus, the mythological God of wine, with leaves of Halimus. In South Carolina Groundsel Tree was used to treat consumption and cough, hence the common name Consumption-Weed.  In Texas oil has been found by drilling in many of the flats where this bush is abundant, thus the common name Oil-Willow. Groundsel Tree can be found on the boarders of the Salt Marsh community, as well as on the Bayshore and is a major component of both. Marsh wrens and other small birds frequently nest in these communities. Groundsel Tree is sometimes confused with the similar appearing Marsh Elder (Iva frutescens). Distinguishing between the two can be aided by the an acronym:   “MOGA”, referring to the orientation of the leaves, “Marsh Elder Opposite and Grounsel Alternate”.

Please note: While harvesting wild berries/fruit is permitted at Island Beach State Park, visitors must adhere to park regulations at all times and must not damage vegetation or go off designated trails.  This information is presented for educational purposes.