Dune Marsh-elder
ExplorePlants
Dune Marsh-elder
Iva imbricata
Dune Marsh-elder is a special plant that grows in sandy areas near the coast. It has thick, green leaves and can help protect the beach from erosion.
Habitat: Coastal areas
Appearance
The Dune Marsh-elder is a bushy, somewhat succulent perennial plant with woody stems at its base. It has narrow, fleshy, bright green leaves that are often arranged in an overlapping pattern. Its small, greenish-white flower heads are inconspicuous and appear in clusters along the upper stem.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderAsteralesFamilyAsteraceaeGenusIva
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Despite its name, its tiny flowers are so plain they don't even have petals!
It's a cousin to sunflowers and daisies, even though it looks very different.
Some tiny coastal insects only eat this specific plant, making it a special food source!
This plant helps create new land by trapping sand, slowly building up dunes over time.
Special abilities
Ability
Salt Shield
Dune Marsh-elder has special glands that help it remove excess salt from its tissues, allowing it to thrive in salty coastal air and soil.
Ability
Sand Anchor
This plant can grow a dense network of underground stems and roots, acting like a living net to hold shifting sand dunes in place.
Ability
Water Saver
Its thick, waxy leaves are designed to store water and reduce evaporation, helping it survive long dry spells in sandy environments.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 30-100 cm
- Spread
- 30-100 cm
- Flower Size
- 0.2-0.5 cm
- Bloom Season
- Late summer to fall
- Edible
- No
- Toxicity
- None
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Pollination Method
- Wind
Ecological connections
symbiotic with
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Sea Oats
Uniola paniculata
Grows alongside to help stabilize fragile coastal dunes together.
symbiotic with
Saltmarsh Hay
Spartina patens
Often found growing together in brackish areas of salt marshes.
shelters
Mallard
Anas platyrhynchos
Coastal birds may use its dense clumps for cover or nesting near water.
eats
Marsh-elder Bug
Stictopleurus punctatonervosus
A true bug that specifically feeds on various marsh-elder species.
Traits
Flowering
Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.
Shrub
A shrub is a woody plant smaller than a tree, typically with multiple stems branching from or near the ground.
Salt Tolerant
Salt tolerant plants can withstand and grow in conditions with elevated salinity levels in the soil or water.
Drought Tolerant
Drought-tolerant plants can survive and flourish in conditions with limited water availability.
Pollinator Magnet
Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.
Coastal
Coastal habitats are dynamic environments located along the interface between land and sea, influenced by tides, waves, and saltwater.
Keystone Species
Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Always look but don't touch plants unless a grown-up says it's okay.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Dune Marsh-elder?
30-100 cm
How wide does Dune Marsh-elder spread?
30-100 cm
How big are the flowers on Dune Marsh-elder?
0.2-0.5 cm
When does Dune Marsh-elder bloom?
Late summer to fall
Is Dune Marsh-elder edible?
No
Is Dune Marsh-elder toxic?
None
What is Dune Marsh-elder's lifecycle?
Perennial
How is Dune Marsh-elder pollinated?
Wind
Snap Map
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