Baccharis anomala

Baccharis anomala is a dioecious shrub or subshrub of the daisy family (Asteraceae), native to southern and southeastern Brazil and neighbouring parts of subtropical South America. Like many members of its genus it has somewhat winged or ridged stems and small, alternate, often reduced leaves adapted to open, sunny habitats. As a dioecious plant it bears separate male and female individuals; the numerous small flower heads are grouped in panicle-like arrangements, the discoid capitula lacking showy ray florets, and the female heads producing slender achenes crowned by a fine white pappus that aids wind dispersal. It grows in grasslands, forest edges, riverbanks and disturbed ground. The genus Baccharis is rich in phenolic acids and terpenoids, and chemical study of this species has identified hydroxybenzoic, chlorogenic and coumaric acids.