Asteraceae

Baccharis halimifolia

Common Names: Groundsel bush

Plant Form: Shrub. Size: Up to 6 m tall. Stem: Rough and somewhat stripey. Leaves: Smooth and sticky, diamond- or egg-shaped, lower ones often coarsely toothed but upper ones smooth edged, to 7 x 4 cm. Flowers: Yellowish daisy flowerheads only 3-5 mm across, in large clusters. Fruit and Seeds: 1-2 mm long, smooth, with disproportionately large parachuting hairs up to 12 mm long. Habitat: Coastal heath, swamps, disturbed sites. Distinguishing Features: Superficially similar to native species in Blumea and Pluchea genus, but distinguished by the shape of lower leaves, and appearance of the fruiting female plant covered in parachuting hairs. Impacts: Reduces agricultural productivity, suppresses and outcompetes native wetland species. Parachuting hairs can cause allergic reactions.

Leaves have points

bushy foliage

Flowers white and fluffy