It's also a hardy rehabilitator for areas hit with wind erosion.
A genus of plants with interesting names occurs throughout much of the Southwest, Rolling Plains and central Great Plains. At least two of these plant species are found in our Northcentral Texas and Southwestern Oklahoma region.
The plants are members of genus Baccharis, and the reasons this scientific name was assigned to the group are varied and vague. Etymological explanations include reference to Bacchus, the Greek god of wine and revelry, but also indicate associations with historical, medicinal uses of the plants and identification with a different plant's fragrant roots.
The plants are also commonly known as groundsel-trees, and this name has its origin in the Old English word "grundeswylige" and translates as "swallowing pus" or, more likely, swallowing a poultice or medicine compounded from the plants.
Around here
The common species of our region are Baccharis salicina, often called seep-willow, water-willow and willow Baccharis, in western areas. B. neglecta, referred to as false willow, Roosevelt weed, New Deal weed and poverty weed, is most common in our eastern and southern areas.
The specific name salicina implies a superficial resemblance to willow trees, whereas, the species name neglecta derives from the Latin word meaning to disregard or ignore and likely refers to the plant's ability to grow in neglected and disturbed habitats.
Our false willow species heights range from approximately 3-12 feet, and their growth forms are usually shrubby. Groundsel-trees are perennial and dioecious with separate pollen-producing and fruit-producing plants.
An impressive flower display
The flowers of each type are slightly different. One of the best ways to distinguish between the species is through close examination of their leaves. B. neglecta has linear to narrowly elliptic, leaves, and its older, lower leaves have minutely toothed margins.
The leaves of B. salicina are oblanceolate, nearly twice as wide as the leaves of neglecta and slightly serrate. Most neglecta leaves have a single, prominent nerve -- a simple leaf vein or rib. But salicina leaves usually have three nerves. Woody stems of both plants are gray and, considering the leaf shapes, stem color and common habitats where the plants are found, the name "false willow" is easily understood.
Groundsels possess fibrous, spreading root systems and thrive in soils ranging from heavy clays to loose, sandy or silty soils of riverine and seaside locations. False willows also occur in riparian habitats along streams, rivers, ponds, and lakes and the plants can successfully colonize disturbed areas, saline soils and other degraded habitats.
Baccharis produces hundreds of flowers and white, tufted, cypsela fruits in dense, terminal plumes during August through November; thus, contrary to one specific name, it is almost impossible to ignore or neglect the impressive floral displays!
Why false willow was planted during the Dust Bowl
The plants are commonly called Roosevelt weed and New Deal weed to commemorate President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
During Roosevelt's presidential terms, Baccharis was widely planted in the western and central United States as a New Deal strategy to help reduce wind erosion throughout the Dust Bowl years. False willow's extensive root system facilitated the plant's establishment in degraded soils and improved soil retention in devastated farmlands and along watercourses.
The "poverty weeds" grew where few other plants could, and these hardy shrubs also accumulated and removed salts from disturbed soils and allowed lands to begin recovery after severe erosional events. These characteristics make false willow a good candidate for xeriscaping in drought prone regions and, if carefully managed, the plants can serve as pioneering species for restoration of woodlands and other natural habitats.
Uses of the plants
Poverty weed also provides a source of fall nectar for many insects, bees, and lepidopterans, including migrating Monarch butterflies. The plants provide shelter and nesting areas for some wildlife species.
Although white-tailed deer may occasionally browse young tips and shoots of some Baccharis species, the plants are of limited value for most larger wildlife and livestock and, because of false willow's ability to thrive under many conditions, the shrubs can invade pasturelands, riparian areas and other habitats.
The leaves and flowers of some false willow species contain glycosidic compounds that are considered dangerous and poisonous to livestock. As a result, false willows are often removed from rangelands by chemical or mechanical methods.
A few indigenous peoples utilized poultices, alluded to in groundsel's name (specifically from B. salicina), to treat swellings, muscle aches, and inflammations, and leaf infusions were prepared to alleviate headaches. However, because some Baccharis species may be toxic, positive identification of the plant is of utmost importance.
Exalted and humble
As we've discussed, Baccharis plants are somewhat contradictory in both name and characteristics.
Some of the plants' names reflect an exalted status, whereas other common names are much humbler. While there are a few reported ethnobotanical uses for particular Baccharis species, other false willows contain toxins and should be avoided.
The plants helped stabilize and restore the soils of many United States regions during the Dust Bowl of the 1930's; however, false willow can also become invasive, and it is often intentionally removed from properties.
Regardless of their status in a particular setting or habitat within our area, the flowering displays of these plants during fall months are attractive and worth viewing!
Jim Goetze is a retired professor of biology and former chairperson of the Natural Sciences Department of Laredo College with an avid interest in all aspects of the natural world. He can be contacted at [email protected].