Marsh Fleabane
Common Names
Other common names include saltmarsh fleabane and camphorweed.
Latin Name
Pluchea odorata previously known as Pluchea purpurascens
Family
Marsh fleabane is in the Asteraceae, or aster, Family.
Form
Marsh fleabane is a perennial wildflower that grows to a height of 3-6 feet. Some literature states that it is an annual, but I’ve found it to come back from the roots in more than a few instances. It will certainly re-seed where the parent plant was grown.
Leaves
The leaves are alternate. Their shape is generally elliptic-ovate to lanceolate with toothed margins. The leaves are stalked.
Flowers
The flowers appear all year except for the coldest part of our winter. The flower heads are tubular and don’t have petals. They are a pretty pale purple.
Habitat
Marsh fleabane grows in moist areas like wet woods, stream banks, lake margins and other wet areas such as drainage ditches and wet fence rows.
Native Range
Marsh fleabane is native to AL, AR, CT, FL, GA, IA, IL, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MO, MS, NC, NY, OH, SC, TN, TX, and WI.
Landscape Use
In the home landscape it grows in full sun to part shade in moist to wet soils. It can be used in a naturalized setting, grown in flower beds, and containers. It transplants relatively well if kept moist once moved.
Wildlife Uses
The flowers are a source of nectar for many insects including bees, beetles, butterflies, flies, and wasps.
Propagation
Can be grown easily from seed, naturally occurring seedlings can be transplanted