Tidal Marsh/ Salt Marsh Fleabane

COMMON NAME: Salt Marsh Fleabane

OTHER COMMON NAME(S): Stinkweed, Camphorweed

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Pluchea odorata

FAMILY: Asteraceae

COMMUNITY: Tidal Marsh

STATUS: Native

LIFESPAN: Annual

HEIGHT: 8 to 36 inches

FLOWERING TIME: Early August to late October

FRUITING TIME: Late August to late October

DISTRIBUTION: Massachusetts to Florida and tropical America ~ Throughout entire coastal strip in NJ and Delaware Bay shore ~ Salt and brackish water area

IDENTIFYING CHARACTERISTICS: Entire plant is downy with short hairs ~ Leaves alternate, ovate to lanceolate, slightly toothed, scalloped or smooth margins, feel velvety to touch ~ Flowers pink to purple, rayless and mostly in flatish terminal clusters or flowerheads

GENERAL INFORMATION:   Salt Marsh Fleabane has a slight medicinal scent, hence the name camphorweed. Salt Marsh Fleabane may appear in sizable patches.  It is often associated with salt marsh hay (Spartina patens) and salt marsh cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora).

Please note: While harvesting wild berries/fruit is permitted at Island Beach State Park, visitors must adhere to park regulations at all times and must not damage vegetation or go off designated trails.  This information is presented for educational purposes.