Baccharis dioica

This rare semi-evergreen shrub is similar to our common Baccharis halmifolia but quite distinct. In 1979 just before Hurricane Frederick did tremendous damage to the Mobile, Alabama area, we discovered this plant growing behind the dunes on Dauphin Island. Not knowing its identity we sent it to the recognized authority on the genus at Southern Methodist University. He identified it as B. dioica, a Carribean species new for Alabama. Otherwise known in the U.S. only from southernmost Florida, it is now considered as extirpated there. Has proven winter hardy for years outoors here in South Carolina.