Marsh Elder • Iva
Weeds
Conditions: Allergic rhinitis; allergic asthma5 Symptoms: Itchy, stuffy, or runny nose; post-nasal drip; sneezing; itchy, red, or watery eyes; asthmatic symptoms.
Physical description: Shrubby composite plant that can grow to 12 feet in height; has greenish or greenish-white flower heads; produces small, purplish-brown fruits.
Environmental factors: As its name suggests, marsh elder grows in moist soil, primarily in the central and eastern United States; can be found in meadows, roadsides, riverbanks, and saline marshes.
Cross Reactivity: Ragweed
Included species: Iva annua and iva frutescens
References
- “Elder.”Merriam-Webster. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/elder
- “Iva annua (annual marsh elder).” United States Department of Agriculture. https://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=IVAN2
- 4. “Annual Marsh-Elder (Iva annua).” PollenLibrary.com. http://www.pollenlibrary.com/Specie/Iva annua/
- “Annual Marshelder (Iva annua).” 2bnthewild.com. http://2bnthewild.com/plants/H392.htm
- 6. “Ragweed Allergies FAQ.” achooallergy.com. https://www.achooallergy.com/learning/ragweed-allergies-faq/
- “Plant Database.” Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center –
The University of Texas at Austin. http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=ivfr - “Iva frutescens L.” Go Botany. https://gobotany.newenglandwild.org/species/iva/frutescens/
- “Plants Profile for Iva frutescens (Jesuit’s bark).” USDA – Natural Resources Conservation Service. https://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=IVFR
Did You Know?
Known to provide suitable nesting habitats for various species of birds. During extreme high tides, small mammals and birds have been reported to use emergent vegetation as an island of refuge.
