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Smith, R.W.

Pluchea odorata

Pluchea odorata (L.) Cass.

Sweetscent, Saltmarsh Fleabane

Asteraceae (Aster Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: PLOD

USDA Native Status: L48 (N), PR (N), VI (N), CAN (I)

Erect annual with flat-topped clusters of pink-lavender flower heads; plant has a faint camphor fragrance.

This typical brackish-marsh plant adds a flash of pink to marsh grasses at the end of the growing season. Its dense pinkish flower masses are often used in dried flower arrangements.

From the Image Gallery

5 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Annual
Habit: Subshrub
Size Notes: Up to about 6 feet tall.
Fruit: Fruit is a cypsela (pl. cypselae). Though technically incorrect, the fruit is often referred to as an achene.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Pink , Purple
Bloom Time: Jan , Feb , Mar , Apr , May , Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep , Oct , Nov , Dec
Bloom Notes: May bloom year-round in the South. Jul - Oct in northern regions.

Distribution

USA: AL , AR , AZ , CA , CT , DE , FL , GA , IL , IN , KS , LA , MA , MD , ME , MI , MS , NC , NJ , NM , NV , NY , OK , PA , RI , SC , TX , UT , VA
Canada: ON
Native Distribution: Southern Maine south to Florida, largely coastal; west to Texas and beyond.
Native Habitat: Saline to brackish marshes.

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Sun , Part Shade , Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist

Benefit

Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Fragrant Flowers: yes

Find Seed or Plants

Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.

National Wetland Indicator Status

Region:	AGCP	AK	AW	CB	EMP	GP	HI	MW	NCNE	WMVE
Status:	FACW		FACW	FACW	FACW	FACW		FACW	OBL	FACW

This information is derived from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers National Wetland Plant List, Version 3.1 (Lichvar, R.W. 2013. The National Wetland Plant List: 2013 wetland ratings. Phytoneuron 2013-49: 1-241). Click here for map of regions.

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Naval Air Station Kingsville - Kingsville, TX
Santa Barbara Botanic Garden - Santa Barbara, CA
Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR

Herbarium Specimen(s)

NPSOT 0522 Collected Jul 18, 1987 in Bexar County by Harry Cliffe

1 specimen(s) available in the Digital Herbarium

Wildflower Center Seed Bank

LBJWC-567 Collected 2007-09-05 in Travis County by Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

1 collection(s) available in the Wildflower Center Seed Bank

Web Reference

Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

Additional resources

USDA: Find Pluchea odorata in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Pluchea odorata in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Pluchea odorata

Metadata

Record Modified: 2023-01-06
Research By: TWC Staff

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