Burweed Marsh Elder (Giant Poverty)

WEEDS

GENUS/SPECIES

Cyclachaena xanthiifolia

FAMILY

Asteraceae

SYNONYMS

Common: Giant Sumpweed
Botanical: Iva xanthifolia

DISTRIBUTION

Central, W, and NE US

E Washington southward to NE California
NE California southeastward to N Texas
N Texas northeastward to central Illinois
Central Illinois northwestward to E Washington
New Jersey to Maine

Human Product Number - 44

Veterinary Product Number - 44

Comments

This species is a common plant along roadsides, cultivated fields, or along streams in much of the central part of the US. It may grow to be 6 feet tall. The species name refers to the shape of the larger leaves, which are rather triangular or fan-shaped, resembling those of the cocklebur. The undersides of the leaves are lighter in color than the upper surfaces. Young plants of burweed marsh elder may resemble sunflower plants at a similar stage of development (and often grow in similar habitats), and the rather inconspicuous greenish flowers of the mature marsh elder depend upon wind-pollination.