Iva annua L. - Annual Marshelder, Sumpweed
Family - Asteraceae
Stems:
Leaves:
Inflorescence:
Involucre:
N/A
Ray flowers:
Absent.
Disk flowers:
Flowering - June - November.
Habitat - Alluvial ground, roadsides, railroads, ditches.
Origin - Native to North America.
Other information - This weedy species can be found throughout Alabama and is probably forund in every county. The plant can be identified by its opposite, petiolate, triangular-ovate leaves, its pubescent stems, and its long inflorescences. The bracts of the inflorescence are attenuate. The plant grows in moist to wet soils.
The genus name Iva is apparently an old name applied to plants with fragrance or medicinal value.
The species epithet annua derives from the Latin "annu(a)" meaning "a year" since the species is an annual and completes its life cycle in one year.
Alabama Distribution:
Photographs taken off Macon County Rd 43, Macon County, AL., 10-9-04.