Carolina Nature

Trees, Shrubs, and Woody Vines of North Carolina

Southern Maritime Marsh-elder (Iva frutescens var. frutescens)

Plantae>Magnoliophyta>Magnoliopsida>Asterales>Asteraceae>Iva frutescens L. var. frutescens

Southern Maritime Marsh-elder (Iva frutescens var. frutescens)

Maritime Marsh-elder is a common shrub of the edges of brackish marshes along the coast of North Carolina.

Iva frutescens usually grows at the edge of tidal mudflats.

New Hanover Co., NC 8/29/09.

Southern Maritime Marsh-elder (Iva frutescens var. frutescens)

Small yellowish-greenish flowers appear in late summer.

New Hanover Co., NC 8/29/09.

Southern Maritime Marsh-elder (Iva frutescens var. frutescens)

Flower detail.

New Hanover Co., NC 8/29/09.

Southern Maritime Marsh-elder (Iva frutescens var. frutescens)

Carteret Co., NC 9/28/2008.

Southern Maritime Marsh-elder (Iva frutescens var. frutescens)

The southern var. frutescens is common along the entire NC coast, while the northern var. oraria, distinguished by larger, broader leaves, occurs from Dare County north. The Dune Marsh-elder (Iva imbricata) tends to occur on oceanside dunes and has smaller, thicker, mostly untoothed leaves.

Carteret Co., NC 7/17/2008.

Southern Maritime Marsh-elder (Iva frutescens var. frutescens)

Carteret Co., NC 7/13/2008.

Southern Maritime Marsh-elder (Iva frutescens var. frutescens)

Dare Co., NC 11/7/08.

Southern Maritime Marsh-elder (Iva frutescens var. frutescens)

Carteret Co., NC 7/17/2008.

Southern Maritime Marsh-elder (Iva frutescens var. frutescens)

Carteret Co., NC 9/28/2008.

Southern Maritime Marsh-elder (Iva frutescens var. frutescens)

The flower heads are hidden in leafy bracts, making it difficult to tell, without close inspection, that Iva is in the sunflower family.

Carteret Co., NC 9/28/2008.

Southern Maritime Marsh-elder (Iva frutescens var. frutescens)

Brunswick Co., NC 8/25/07.

Southern Maritime Marsh-elder (Iva frutescens var. frutescens) nark

Bark detail.

Brunswick Co., NC 8/25/07.

Southern Maritime Marsh-elder (Iva frutescens var. frutescens) bark

The USDA PLANTS website uses the odd common name "Jesuit's bark" for Iva frutescens. What this refers to is unclear.

Carteret Co., NC 9/28/2008.

 

More information:
USDA PLANTS database
Virginia Tech Dendrology

Recommended Tree, Shrub, and Woody Vine Identification Guides