# 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.

- **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.

## About

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 .

## Sources

- Plate: https://gaia-dex.com/species/636962f3-7416-4b4e-a6fe-c89c5c7b8223
- iNaturalist: https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/534316
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baccharis latifolia
- Conservation status: IUCN Red List category, as recorded by Gaia-Dex
- Photo: https://inaturalist-open-data.s3.amazonaws.com/photos/184840399/medium.jpg (Antonio W. Salas, CC-BY, via iNaturalist)

Habitat, diet, size and similar notes are AI-written summaries; check them against the linked sources before relying on them.