Eastern Baccharis (Baccharis halimifolia)

December 1st, 2014. Eastern Baccharis  (Baccharis halimifolia) – also known as Silverling, Groundsel Tree, Consumption Weed, Sea Myrtle -  is one of the few shrubs that blooms in the Fall. Plants are dioecious; the male and female flowers are on different plants so it is the female plants that we notice. 

This shrub was growing by a fence. Most of the plants I see are at the edge of woods where it’s not possible to see their shape clearly. 

The flowers. In their prime, the blooms look like tassels. They spread as they go to seed. In individual seed is visible in the left side of the second photograph. 

An enlargement of the seed 

Flowers that have gone to seed.