Baccharis pilularis D.C.
Chaparral broom, Coyote brush
Family: Asteraceae
Habit: Shrub to 10 ft.
Distribution: Found on coastal bluffs to oak woodland, in coastal sage scrub, and invading grassland in the central and south coast of California. Also found on all four Channel Islands.
Seed unit: Achene.
Seed: 1 to 2 mm., glabrous, 8 to 10 ribs, 5 to 9 mm. long conspicuous white pappus emitting from apical ring. Has a basal attachment scar.
Embryo: Foliar, well developed cotyledons with no endosperm.
Purity instructions: Pure seed definition:
AOSA: PSU# 50 - Intact achene, with or without one or more of the following structures: beak, bristle, hairs, pappus, wing, or firmly attached floral remnants, provided a true seed with some degree of embryo development can be detected (either by slight pressure or by examination over light).
Piece of broken achene larger than one-half of the original size, unless no seed is present. Seed, with or without pericarp/seed coat; if broken, larger than one-half the original size.
ISTA: PSD#1 – Achene with or without pappus, unless it is obvious that no seed is present.
Average pure seed units per gram: 22,235 seeds per gram (based on AOSA pure seed units only from 54 samples received for testing from 1993 to 2002).
Range of percent pure seed: 1% to 10%
Range of percent inert: 89% t0 99%
Description of inert: Broken seed, dead insects, plant material (free pappus).
Planting instructions: 400 seeds, TB, 14 days @ 20°C; for fresh and dormant seed, prechill recommended.
References: (link to main reference page)
Hickman, J.C., Ed. 1993. p. 210.
Ransom Seed Laboratory
Smith, C.F. 1998. p. 148.
