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;[3]: 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.[4] It is a host plant for the larval stage of the fatal metalmark butterfly, and the adult stage also nectars on the flowers.[5]
| Mule fat | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Asterales |
| Family: | Asteraceae |
| Genus: | Baccharis |
| Species: | B. salicifolia
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| Binomial name | |
| Baccharis salicifolia | |
| Synonyms | |
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The long pointed leaves may be toothed and contain three lengthwise veins. It is most common near water sources.
The seed is wind-distributed.[6]
Uses
editThe Kayenta Navajo people use this plant in a compound infusion of plants used as a lotion for chills from immersion.[7]
Another use is fire starting. Dried Baccharis salicifolia has a very low ignition temperature, very similar to the dried yucca stalk. It can be used for spindles and hand-drill shafts.
Galls
editMulefat plays host to several gall-inducing insect species including Aceria baccharices.[8]
References
edit- ^ Redonda-Martínez, R.; Zacarias-Correa, AG; Machuca Machuca, K.; Samain, M.-S. (2022). "Baccharis salicifolia". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2022: e.T126029547A167073592. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2022-1.RLTS.T126029547A167073592.en. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
- ^ "NatureServe Explorer 2.0". explorer.natureserve.org. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
- ^ Mojave Desert Wildflowers, Pam MacKay, 2nd ed., 2013, ISBN 978-0-7627-8033-4
- ^ Soule, J.A. 2012. Butterfly Gardening in Southern Arizona. Tierra del Soule Press, Tucson, AZ
- ^ "Baccharis salicifolia - Butterflies". calscape.org. Retrieved 2024-01-25.
- ^ "Mule Fat". www.fs.usda.gov. Retrieved 2024-01-25.
- ^ Wyman, Leland C. and Stuart K. Harris 1951 The Ethnobotany of the Kayenta Navaho. Albuquerque. The University of New Mexico Press (p. 45)
- ^ "Aceria baccharices (Mule Fat Blister Mite)". iNaturalist.
External links
edit- Jepson Manual Treatment
- Photo gallery
Media related to Baccharis salicifolia at Wikimedia Commons
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