Chilca
Baccharis latifolia
Chilca is a vital pioneer species; its dense root systems bind loose soil, making it a natural bio-shield against landslides and river erosion.
- Scientific name
- Baccharis latifolia
- Taxonomy
- Plantae › Tracheophyta › Magnoliopsida › Asterales › Asteraceae › Baccharis
- IUCN Red List status
- Least Concern
- Population trend
- stable
- Biome
- wetland
- Habitat
- Riparian zones, riverbanks, disturbed montane areas, and Andean forest edges.
- Diet
- Autotrophic (Photosynthesis)
- Range
- Andean Highlands, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia
- Size
- 2 to 4 meters in height
- Lifespan
- 10-20 years
- Active
- diurnal
- Threats
- River channelization, urban sprawl, and severe water pollution.
- Safe to approach?
- Harmless and beneficial. You can safely approach and touch this plant, though its leaves are coated in a sticky, aromatic resin. Respect the riverbanks where it grows to prevent erosion. If you get resin on your skin, wash with warm soapy water or rubbing alcohol.
Baccharis /ˈbækərɪs/ is a genus of perennials and shrubs in the aster family (Asteraceae). They are commonly known as baccharises but sometimes referred to as "brooms", because many members have small thin leaves resembling the true brooms. They are not at all related to these however, but belong to an entirely different lineage of eudicots. B. halimifolia is commonly known as "groundsel bush", however true groundsels are found in the genus Senecio .
Photo: Antonio W. Salas, CC-BY, via iNaturalist
Plain-text version: /species/636962f3-7416-4b4e-a6fe-c89c5c7b8223.md