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Native Plant Society of Texas

Poverty Weed

Baccharis neglecta

Other common name(s):

Roosevelt Weed, False Willow, Jara Dulce

Family:

Asteraceae (Aster Family)

Plant Ecoregion Distribution Map

This map uses data from the US EPA. EPA  servers have been offline frequently so maps may not display. We are working on a solution.

Cross Timbers, East Central Texas Plains, Edwards Plateau, Gulf Coast Prairies and Marshes, Southern Texas Plains, Texas Blackland Prairies
Carbonate Cross Timbers, Limestone Cut Plain
Southern Post Oak Savanna
Balcones Canyonlands, Edwards Plateau Woodland, Llano Uplift
Coastal Sand Plain, Floodplains and Low Terraces4, Laguna Madre Barrier Island and Coastal Marshes, Lower Rio Grande Alluvial Floodplain, Lower Rio Grande Valley, Mid-Coast Barrier Islands and Coastal Marshes, Northern Humid Gulf Coastal Prairies, Southern Subhumid Gulf Coastal Prairies, Texas-Louisiana Coastal Marshes
Northern Nueces Alluvial Plains, Rio Grande Floodplain and Terraces, Semiarid Edwards Bajada, Texas-Tamaulipan Thornscrub
Floodplains and Low Terraces1, Northern Blackland Prairie

Plant Characteristics

Growth Form

Shrub

Height

6
to
8
ft.

Spread

4
to
8
ft.

Leaf Retention

Semi Evergreen

Lifespan

Perennial

Habitat and Care Requirements

Soil Type(s)

Sand, Loam, Dry

Light Requirement

Sun, Part Shade

Water Requirement

Low

Native Habitat

Grassland

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

White, Pink

Bloom Season

Summer, Fall

Seasonal Interest

Nectar, Pollen

Wildlife Benefit

Butterflies, Nectar Insects, Moths

Maintenance

One of the first plants to populate abandoned fields, roadsides and disturbed habitats. It is extremely drought tolerant, able to grow in wet or dry sites, and can grow in soils high in salt. It has been planted as a fast and easy way to revegetate severely damaged soil. Plant only if you have a large property, since it likes to spread. Thin plants to control if needed. Propagation: seed.

Comments

Blooms August-November. A tall shrub with dark green linear leaves. Plants grow in large groupings. Male and female flowers grow on separate plants. Female flowers consist of small silky, greenish white heads that produce silvery plumed seeds.

References

Learn about how to propagate Texas native plants.

Material Treatment Method Collection References
Softwood Cutting Remove the leaves from the bottom 2-3 inches of the cutting. Fill a pot or seed tray with a well-draining mix like peat moss or perlite. Dip the cut end of each cutting in rooting hormone powder, make small holes in your rooting medium, then gently place the cuttings inside. Keep them moist and humid by watering them regularly and placing a plastic dome or bag over the pot. Allow the cuttings to root for 4-6 weeks before transplanting. Choose healthy new growth about 4-6 inches long in early summer when the plant is actively growing. Make sure the cuttings are soft and pliable. Make a clean cut just below a node (the point where leaves grow from the stem). https://propagate.one/how-to-propagate-baccharis-neglecta/
Hardwood Cutting Remove the leaves from the bottom ½ inch of the cutting. Use a mix of sand and potting soil or a pre-made rooting mix. Dip the cut ends in rooting hormone powder or a liquid rooting solution. Plant the cuttings in your rooting medium, making sure to leave at least two nodes above the soil line. Keep the cuttings in a cool, bright spot, maintain consistently damp soil, and allow them to root for a couple of months. In late fall or winter when the plant is dormant, choose mature, brown stems from the previous year’s growth. Cut the stems into 6-8 inch lengths, ensuring each piece has at least two nodes. https://propagate.one/how-to-propagate-baccharis-neglecta/
Seed No Treatment Plant the seeds in well-draining soil and cover with a thin layer of soil. Water the seeds regularly and keep them in a warm and well-lit location until they germinate. Collect the seeds from the plant and allow them to dry out completely. https://plantiary.com/plant/baccharis-neglecta_4567.html

About the Region

Fall Symposium 2025 Logo - Teach for the Future

Salado, the location of our Fall 2025 Symposium, lies at the intersection of two ecoregions: the Edwards Plateau (Limestone Cut Plain) and Blackland Prairie (Northern Blackland Prairie).

The Edwards Plateau area is also called the Hill Country; however, this general term covers a much larger area extending farther north. Spring-fed creeks are found throughout the region; deep limestone canyons, rivers, and lakes (reservoirs) are common. Ashe juniper is perhaps the most common woody species found throughout the region. Additional woody species include various species of oak, with live oak (Quercus fusiformis) being the most common. Sycamores (Platanus occidentalis) and bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) border waterways. This area is well known for its spring wildflower displays, though they may be viewed in spring, late summer, and fall, as well. According to Texas Parks and Wildlife, average annual rainfall in the Edwards Plateau ranges from 15 to 34 inches.

The Blackland Prairie extends from the Red River south to San Antonio, bordered on the west by the Edwards Plateau and the Cross Timbers, and on the east by the Post Oak Savannah. Annual rainfall averages 30 to 40 inches, with higher averages to the east. This region is dominated by prairie species. The most common grass species include little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) and Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans) in the uplands and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) in the riparian areas and drainages. Common herbaceous flowering plants include salvias, penstemons, and silphiums. This area has suffered greatly from overgrazing and agricultural use. Few intact areas remain, though many of the plants can be found along county roadsides throughout the region.

Our fall Symposium host chapter, the Tonkawa Chapter, includes both of these ecoregions.

Source: Wildflowers of Texas by Michael Eason