First observation in the wild:	1924
Invasion stage:	spread
Spatial distribution:	isolated

Reproduction in the wild:	yes
Dispersion potential:	high
Natural habitats:	high

More on invasiveness: Baccharis halimifolia is highly resistant to salt spray and flooding. It grows naturally in a wide range of coastal habitats including the upper fringes of irregularly flooded tidal fresh, brackish marshes, dunes and open woods. It also colonises man-made environments. This plant is used in soil bioengineering systems to stabilize tidal shorelines because of its ability to root from a dormant, unrooted cutting. It produces a huge amount of wing-dispersed seeds that germinate easily in moist soils. It is expanding its distribution throughout much of its native range and in other regions of the globe to which it has been introduced (e.g. Australia and Europe).

Predation / Herbivory:	low
Competition:	high
Disease transmission:	low
Genetic effects:	low

Nutrient cycling:	unknown
Physical alteration:	high
Natural successions:	high
Food web alteration:	low

More on impacts: Baccharis is a weedy shrub and behaves as an early successional, woody invader of disturbed lowlandsboth throughout its native and introduced ranges. It grows fast and is mature within 2 years. It makes monospecific stands with a dense canopy which modifies micro-climatic conditions in dune ecosystems and outcompetes ground vegetation, namely some rare and threatened coastal herbs. Leaves of the plant are toxic for livestock. It may also be a nuisance in populated areas because its pollen and other airborne plant parts are believed to be allergenic. The plant is very inflammable and may increase fire hazards; it is intolerant of fire.

References: