Synopsis plantarum, seu enchiridium botanicum (Baccharis salicifolia)

Photo: Stan ShebsCC BY-SA 3.0via Wikimedia Commonsresized / cropped

Synopsis plantarum, seu enchiridium botanicum Plant Care

Baccharis salicifolia Nutt.

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

Baccharis salicifolia is a blooming shrub native to the sage scrub community and desert southwest of the United States and northern Mexico, as well as parts of South America. Its usual common name is mule fat;: 126  it is also called seepwillow or water-wally. This is a large bush with sticky foliage which bears plentiful small, fuzzy, pink or red-tinged white flowers which are highly attractive to butterflies. The long pointed leaves may be toothed and contain three lengthwise veins. It is most common near water sources.

🌱Herbs🌼Perennials🌻Annuals
Water

Every 7–14 days

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Temp

50–85°F

Humidity

40–70%

At a glance

How do you care for Synopsis plantarum, seu enchiridium botanicum?

Plant Synopsis plantarum, seu enchiridium botanicum in full sun to partial shade (USDA zones 8a–11b) and water a young tree every 7–14 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 50–85°F (10–29°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.

Where Is the Synopsis plantarum, seu enchiridium botanicum Native To?

Native range15 countries

What Is the Synopsis plantarum, seu enchiridium botanicum?

Synopsis plantarum, seu enchiridium botanicum (Baccharis salicifolia) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Baccharis genus. Synopsis plantarum, seu enchiridium botanicum is native to the sage scrub community and desert southwest of the United States and northern Mexico, as well as parts of South America.

Synopsis plantarum, seu enchiridium botanicum displays an upright, bushy shrub growth habit, reaching up to 6 ft tall with a spread of approximately 4 ft. Synopsis plantarum, seu enchiridium botanicum produces small white or greenish flowers in dense clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Synopsis plantarum, seu enchiridium botanicum?

Water a young or newly planted Synopsis plantarum, seu enchiridium botanicum every 7–14 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established trees mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Watering Frequency

Every 7–14 days

Until established; then in dry spells

What Light Does the Synopsis plantarum, seu enchiridium botanicum Need?

Synopsis plantarum, seu enchiridium botanicum thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Light Requirement

Full sun to partial shade

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Synopsis plantarum, seu enchiridium botanicum Prefer?

Baccharis salicifolia tolerates temperatures of 50–85°F. Synopsis plantarum, seu enchiridium botanicum prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Temperature

50–85°F

Humidity

40–70%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Synopsis plantarum, seu enchiridium botanicum?

Well-draining sandy soil mix with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Synopsis plantarum, seu enchiridium botanicum to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

How Often Should You Fertilize a Synopsis plantarum, seu enchiridium botanicum?

Feed Synopsis plantarum, seu enchiridium botanicum every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established trees in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

Fertilizing

Every 6 months

During the growing season

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Where Should You Plant a Synopsis plantarum, seu enchiridium botanicum?

Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining sandy soil mix with added organic matter. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Synopsis plantarum, seu enchiridium botanicum is suited to USDA Zone 8a – 11b.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped trees in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

How Far Apart Should You Plant a Synopsis plantarum, seu enchiridium botanicum?

Synopsis plantarum, seu enchiridium botanicum can spread to about 4 ft (1.2 m) and reach about 6 ft (2 m) tall. Space plants about 4 ft (1.2 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the tree spacing calculator.

How Do You Prune a Synopsis plantarum, seu enchiridium botanicum?

Prune Synopsis plantarum, seu enchiridium botanicum while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the tree in one year.

How Do You Care for a Synopsis plantarum, seu enchiridium botanicum in Winter?

Synopsis plantarum, seu enchiridium botanicum is hardy down to USDA zone 8a, so once established it can stay outdoors through winter in that zone and warmer ones.

Water deeply in late autumn before the ground freezes, and spread a 5–8 cm (2–3 in) layer of mulch over the root zone, keeping it away from the trunk.

Young and container-grown trees need extra protection: roots in a pot freeze much more easily than roots in the ground.

How Do You Propagate a Synopsis plantarum, seu enchiridium botanicum?

Synopsis plantarum, seu enchiridium botanicum can be propagated through seeds, softwood cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to manzanita baccharis plant care, which shares the same genus.

Is the Synopsis plantarum, seu enchiridium botanicum Toxic to Pets and Children?

Pet safety not verified

The ASPCA does not list Synopsis plantarum, seu enchiridium botanicum, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.

This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

What Pests and Diseases Affect the Synopsis plantarum, seu enchiridium botanicum?

Synopsis plantarum, seu enchiridium botanicum is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, whiteflies. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Synopsis plantarum, seu enchiridium botanicum Need?

Synopsis plantarum, seu enchiridium botanicum grows outdoors in USDA Zone 8a – 11b. It survives winters down to planting zone 8a. Synopsis plantarum, seu enchiridium botanicum is native to the sage scrub community and desert southwest of the United States and northern Mexico, as well as parts of South America.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 8a – 11b

Keep exploring plants

Synopsis plantarum, seu enchiridium botanicum is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.

It belongs to the Baccharis genus — compare its care with other Baccharis species on PlantoScan.

Baccharis is part of the Asteraceae plant family — browse all Asteraceae genera and species.

Synopsis plantarum, seu enchiridium botanicum thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.

More Baccharis Species

Other Baccharis species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:

Sources

  • Scientific name & taxonomy: Baccharis salicifolia Nutt., family Asteraceae (first published in Trans. Amer. Philos. Soc. , ser. 2, 7: 337 (1840)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Synopsis plantarum, seu enchiridium botanicum, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
  • Photo: Stan Shebs, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons — original.
  • Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 8a – 11b, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
  • Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.

Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.

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