Baccharis emoryi A. Gray   Asteraceae (Sunflower Family)   Native   Emory Baccharis

                             December Photo

Plant Characteristics:  Dioecious, erect, loosely branched shrub mostly 1-3 m. high with striate, +/- glutinous branchlets; lvs. cuneate, or oblong, obtuse or acute, tapering to base, commonly few-toothed in distal half, 2-5 cm. long, 0.5-2 cm. wide, 3-nerved, the upper linear, 1-nerved; heads many, in large pyramidal panicles; invol. of female heads 7-9 mm. high ca. 6-seriate, the outer phyllaries ovate, the inner lance-linear, acuminate; invol. of male heads broader, ca. 6 mm. high, 5-seriate; ripe aks. 1.5-2 mm. long, glabrous, 1-nerved, the pappus 1 cm. long.

Habitat:  Mostly along streams below 2000 ft. (-4000) ft.; Coastal Sage Scrub, Creosote Bush Scrub, Salt Marshes, etc.; n. L. Calif. to Los Angeles, Ventura, Bakersfield, Death V. region; to Utah, w. Texas, Santa Catalina Id.  Aug-Dec.

Name:  After the god Bacchus.  (Munz, Flora So. Calif 124).  The species name is in honor of Major William H. Emory (1811-1887).  American soldier and later Director of the United States and Mexican Boundary Survey.  His well illustrated report makes fascinating reading.  (Jaeger 308).

General:  Common in the study area.  Photographed in Big Canyon and on the North Star Flats.  One of the native halophytes found in Upper Newport Bay.  (my comments).     Complex and diverse American genus of some 300 species, best developed in east South America.  (Munz, Flora So. Calif. 124).

Text Ref:  Abrams, Vol. IV 384;  Hickman, Ed. 210; Munz, Calif. Flora 1226; Munz, Flora So. Calif. 124.

Photo Ref:  Sept. 2 83 # 8,10; Oct 1 83 # 20; Sept 1 86 # 21.

Identity: by R. De Ruff.  

First Found:  September 1983.

Computer Ref:  Plant Data 149

Have plant specimen.

Last edit 6/5/04.  

                               September Photo                                                             September Photo