Mule Fat
Baccharis salicifolia
Also listed as Molina salicifolia, Pingraea salicifolia
Also known as Mule's Fat, Seep Willow, Seepwillow Baccharis
Climate Match for your location
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A fast-growing California native shrub with narrow, willow-like foliage and late-season white flowers. Extremely drought tolerant and useful for erosion control and riparian restoration.
Why grow it
Mule fat establishes quickly in dry riparian zones where slower-growing willows and cottonwoods might struggle, making it useful for rapid bank stabilization and wildlife corridor infilling. Its fine texture and late-season flowering extend visual interest and pollinator resources into fall and early winter, complementing earlier-blooming natives in mixed plantings. Compared to non-native erosion control shrubs, it requires no supplemental irrigation once established and supports native insects adapted to California ecosystems.
Watch out for
This species tends to produce abundant seed that can spread beyond intended planting areas, particularly in disturbed riparian contexts; seedlings may require periodic removal if containment is a priority. Dense plantings can shade out desirable understory species, so spacing and thinning should be planned during establishment rather than corrected later.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Asteraceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
California native
Native to: Arizona, California, Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada, Texas, Utah
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Season of Interest
Shrub
Woody multi-stem plants at eye level.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
A fast-growing California native shrub with narrow, willow-like foliage and late-season white flowers. Extremely drought tolerant and useful for erosion control and riparian restoration.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Mule Fat grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Mule fat establishes quickly in dry riparian zones where slower-growing willows and cottonwoods might struggle, making it useful for rapid bank stabilization and wildlife corridor infilling. Its fine texture and late-season flowering extend visual interest and pollinator resources into fall and early winter, complementing earlier-blooming natives in mixed plantings. Compared to non-native erosion control shrubs, it requires no supplemental irrigation once established and supports native insects adapted to California ecosystems.
Watch out for
This species tends to produce abundant seed that can spread beyond intended planting areas, particularly in disturbed riparian contexts; seedlings may require periodic removal if containment is a priority. Dense plantings can shade out desirable understory species, so spacing and thinning should be planned during establishment rather than corrected later.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Asteraceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
California native
Native to: Arizona, California, Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada, Texas, Utah
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Season of Interest
Shrub
Woody multi-stem plants at eye level.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
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