Annual Marsh Elder (Iva annua)

Annual Marsh Elder

Also known as: Seacoast Sumpweed

Annual Marsh Elder (Iva annua) is a North American annual that’s a member of the sunflower family. Prehistoric Native Americans cultivated it as a seed crop around 4,000 years ago. It was particularly important to the Kansas City Hopewell culture, which inhabited modern-day Illinois and Missouri.

Scientific classification

Species

Annual Marsh Elder (Iva annua)

Asters bellflowers fanflowers and allies

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Annual

Lifespan

Herb

Plant Type

Summer, Fall

Bloom Time

Yellow, Green

Flower Color

Semi-evergreen

Leaf type

20 - 35 ℃

Ideal Temperature

Images of Annual Marsh Elder

Distribution of Annual Marsh Elder

Distribution Map

Annual Marsh Elder, native to parts of North America, thrives in its indigenous range that encompasses major regions of the continent. This species has also been introduced to regions of Europe, where it has established a presence, indicative of its adaptability to various climates beyond its original habitat.

Native

Cultivated

Invasive

Introduced

No species reported

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Habitat

Marshes

Hemisphere Trend Curve

Northern

Sorthern

Weed Control

Annual Marsh Elder hails from North America, and it's recognized as a weed. Its classification as a weed stems from its hardy nature and its ability to reproduce and spread rapidly. This plant proliferates through seeds which can clutter gardens and landscapes, making it quite troublesome. It's particularly harmful to gardens because it competes with desired plants for nutrients, space, and sunlight, thus potentially stunting their growth or even killing them. The main dispersion method of annual Marsh Elder is through its seeds, which are easily transported by wind and water, aiding its successful colonization of new sites.

How to Control It

The best season for removal of annual Marsh Elder is in late winter or early spring, before the plant starts flowering. This period hampers the growth cycle of the plant and prevents reproduction. Here are some organic methods for controlling or removing this plant:

Solarization: This involves covering the soil surface with a transparent plastic sheet during a period of hot weather. The heat generated under the plastic will kill the weed seeds in the soil. Spread the plastic across the affected area and secure the edges with rocks or soil to trap the heat.
Corn Gluten Meal: This natural pre-emergent herbicide can stop the germination of annual Marsh Elder seeds. Sprinkle a generous amount of Corn Gluten Meal over the infested area before the onset of germination season, avoiding areas where you want other plants to grow.
Smothering: This method involves covering the ground with a layer of non-biodegradable material like a tarp or old carpet to block sunlight and smother annual Marsh Elder plants. Cover the affected area and leave it for several weeks. This will starve the plant of sunlight and inhibit its growth.
Manual removal: After softening the ground with water, hand pulling can be an effective way to remove annual Marsh Elder. Pull from the base of the plant to ensure that the whole root is removed, preventing it from regrowing.
Mulching: Mulch blocks sunlight from reaching the weed, stifling its growth. Layer organic mulch around your garden plants, making sure to leave no room for light to reach the soil where the annual Marsh Elder grows.

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Care Guide for Annual Marsh Elder

Every week

Water

Full sun

Sunlight

20 - 35 ℃

Ideal Temperature

Water: Annual Marsh Elder thrives in moist environments, requiring consistent moisture and moderate drought tolerance. Ideal watering is weekly to avoid waterlogging. As an annual, annual Marsh Elder grows best outdoors, with peak vitality during the rainy season when water availability is abundant.

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Images of Annual Marsh Elder

Distribution of Annual Marsh Elder

Weed Control

Care Guide for Annual Marsh Elder

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