marsh fleabane

Pluchea odorata

Marsh fleabane is a lovely plant that grows in wet areas like marshes. It has pretty purple flowers that attract butterflies and bees, making it a favorite among pollinators!

Habitat: Wetlands

Appearance

The marsh fleabane is a wetland plant with sturdy, upright stems topped by dense clusters of small, fuzzy, pinkish-purple flowers. Its lance-shaped, grayish-green leaves have serrated edges, making it distinctly textured and noticeable in marshes.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderAsteralesFamilyAsteraceaeGenusPluchea

marsh fleabane

Interesting facts

Indigenous peoples traditionally brewed its leaves into a tea for various herbal remedies!

Its name 'fleabane' comes from an old belief that its strong smell could repel fleas!

Marsh fleabane helps stabilize wetland soils, preventing erosion during strong floods!

This plant is often called 'stinkweed' due to its unique, pungent scent when crushed!

Special abilities

It releases a distinctive sweet, camphor-like scent that attracts various pollinators, ensuring successful reproduction in its marshy home.

Its tiny seeds are equipped with a feathery pappus, allowing them to be carried by the wind to new wetland locations.

Measurements & details

Height: 30-100 cm
Spread: 30-60 cm
Flower Size: 0.5-1 cm
Bloom Season: Summer, Fall
Edible: No
Toxicity: None
Lifecycle: Perennial
Pollination Method: Insect

Ecological connections

pollinates

Monarch butterfly

Danaus plexippus

Sips nectar, aiding plant reproduction.

pollinates

European honey bee

Apis mellifera

Collects pollen and nectar.

eaten by

Cabbage looper

Trichoplusia ni

Larvae munch on its leaves.

shelters

Mallard

Anas platyrhynchos

Ducklings sometimes hide in its dense stands.

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.

Summer Blooming

Summer blooming plants produce their flowers during the summer season, often providing vibrant color when many other plants have finished.

Fragrant Flower

Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense.

Medicinal

Medicinal plants possess chemical compounds that can be used for therapeutic purposes to treat illnesses or maintain health.

Pollinator Magnet

Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.

Wetland

This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs.