Baccharis pilularis aka Coyotebrush

Baccharis pilularis is an evergreen shrub in the aster family. Its common names include coyote brush and chaparral broom. It grows wild in the western United States and northwestern Mexico. Its coastal range reaches from Oregon to Baja California. It grows on sea cliffs, bluffs, dunes, and foothills. It also forms part of coastal thickets. Open, dry ground suits this shrub well.

The species can grow low or form an upright shrub. Low plants make mats about 0.7–2 feet (0.2–0.6 metres) tall. These can spread 6 feet (1.8 metres) or more. Upright plants reach 4–8 feet (1.2–2.4 metres) tall and wide. Virginia Tech reports heights up to 9 feet (2.7 metres). The bark is rough and gray-brown. Young brown twigs have fine hairs and narrow ridges. Older twigs bear rough leaf scars. The thick, waxy leaves stay on the plant year-round. They grow in an alternate pattern along the stems. Leaves range from broad-tipped to narrow, with wedge-shaped bases. Their upper edges may have a few coarse teeth. Their edges also curl under.

Male and female flowers grow on separate plants. Male flowers are yellowish, while female flowers are white. Both form small, upright clusters that can be quite showy. Missouri Botanical Garden lists flowering from September to October. Virginia Tech gives a wider season, from August through December. Female plants make tiny fruits called achenes. Each has a tuft that helps the wind carry it. These fluffy fruit clusters add interest after flowering. The shrub attracts birds and butterflies.

Grow it in full sun and well-drained soil. It tolerates light shade, but favors open sites. Sandy, dry soil with acidic to neutral pH suits it. Established plants can grow without extra water. They tolerate heat, drought, wind, and poor soil. Sources place its hardiness mainly in USDA zones 8–10. One cultivation account also includes zone 7. Seeds and cuttings provide ways to raise new plants.

Gardeners use low forms as ground cover on dry banks. Its wide root system helps hold dunes and slopes. Upright plants can form informal evergreen hedges. Mowing or shearing can make growth denser. Female plants may self-sow; males do not produce seeds. Serious pest and disease problems are uncommon. Black mold and rust can occur. Plants For A Future lists no known edible uses or hazards. It records past medicinal use, but this does not establish safety or benefit.