Baccharis salicifolia

Common Names

Mule Fat, Seep Willow, Water Wally, Douglas' False Willow

Summary

Mule-fat is native to the desert Southwest U.S., northern Mexico, and parts of South America, a dioecious shrub 30–400 cm tall with willow-like, lanceolate leaves 3–15 cm long and 0.5–2 cm wide that are finely serrate, gland-dotted, and resinous; dense terminal clusters of unisexual heads with hemispheric involucres produce white inflorescences from January to October, and the plant commonly forms riparian thickets along stream banks, riparian woodlands, dry washes, and sandy flood plains from 30–2400 m elevation; it is not grazed and readily reproduces from stem cuttings along streams.

Cultivation and landscape use: full sun to partial shade with moderate to regular moisture, drought-tolerant once established, and adaptable to a wide range of soils; hardiness zones 6b–11; propagation readily achieved by stem cuttings and erosion control and wildlife habitat, screening plant and ornamental ground cover values, with flowers attracting bees and butterflies.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

6-12 ft

Spread

3-9 feet

Hardiness Zones

Zones 6b-11

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally full sun, with partial sun also acceptable.

Soil Type

Well-drained sandy soil

Soil Drainage

Moist but well-drained soil

Soil pH

Tolerates all pH levels

Bloom Color

White

Bloom Time

Year-round

Foliage Color

Green

Fall Foliage Color

Green

Leaf Lifecycle

Evergreen broadleaf

Growth Rate

Fast

Seasons of Interest

Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Cuttings

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts bees, butterflies, other pollinators, and birds