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NC Native Plant Society:
Plant Details

Iva frutescens

Maritime Marsh-elder, Hightide Bush, Jesuit's Bark

Scientific Name:

Iva frutescens

Genus:

Iva

Species Epithet:

frutescens

Common Name:

Maritime Marsh-elder, Hightide Bush, Jesuit's Bark

Plant Type

Shrub

Life Cycle

Perennial

Plant Family

Asteraceae (Aster Family)

Native/Alien:

NC Native

Size:

1-3 ft., 3-6 ft., 6-12 ft.

Bloom Color(s):

White, Pink, Green

Light:

Sun - 6 or more hours of sun per day

Soil Moisture:

Moist, Wet

Bloom Time:

August, September, October, November

Growing Area:

Coastal Plain

Habitat Description:

Brackish marshes and marsh edges, normally on the back side of barrier islands (Weakley 2015).

Leaf Arrangement:

Alternate, Opposite

Leaf Retention:

Deciduous

Leaf Type:

Leaves veined, not needle-like or scale-like

Leaf Form:

Simple

Life Cycle:

Perennial

Wildlife Value:

Not Assigned

Landscape Value:

Not Recommended for home landscapes

State Rank:

S4: Apparently secure (*Key)

Global Rank:

G5 - Secure (*Key)

Notes:

Both Iva frutescens var. frutescens and I. frutescens var. oraria are common and native to the NC Coastal Plain and found in the same habitats.

Growing on the edge of the saltmarsh

Aptly named, High Tide Bush grows at the edge of brackish marshes. Jack Spruill has found it to be even more salt-tolerant than Baccharis halimifolia.

image

Jack Spruill, Hampstead, Aug 25, 2009

In bloom

The flowers are inconspicuous, hidden by the leafy bracts.

image

Jack Spruill, Hampstead, Aug 25, 2009

Jack Spruill - I have tried to expand some plantings by using green sticks pushed into the same type habitat, but had no luck. Since it produces so many seeds, maybe that is its main means for expanding its range.

Links:

USDA PLANTS Database Record



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