Science · Plants, Natives & Crops
Coyote Brush
Durable California native with upright and prostrate forms; male and female flowers occur on separate plants.
Baccharis pilularis · Evergreen shrub
Profile
- Light
- Full sun to light shade
- Cultivars
- Pigeon Point and Twin Peaks are low-growing selections, not the upright wild form
- Ecology
- Late flowers support beneficial insects
- Seed
- Female plants produce wind-dispersed fluff; male clones avoid seed fluff
Water & soil targets
- Moisture (VWC)
- Site-calibrated; depends on soil texture
- Salinity tolerance
- Not reliably characterized for this catalog label; avoid saline irrigation and diagnose with soil/water testing.
- Drought tolerance
- High after establishment.
Optimal root measurement depth
6–12 in
Typical active root zone for established native shrubs and vines. Typical guidance; confirm with a soil probe on site.
Water deeply during establishment; established plants usually need little summer irrigation except in extreme exposure.
Problems to watch
- Scale insects
- Root rot in poorly drained soil
- Excessively dense woody growth
Stress signs
- Sticky leaves with sooty mold
- Progressive branch death
- Persistent yellowing in wet soil
Where you'll find it
- Slope stabilization
- Habitat hedges or groundcovers
More plants, natives & crops
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All Science profilesGeneral agronomic guidance and typical ranges; actual targets vary by site, soil, climate and season.