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Iva xanthifolia - Nutt.

Common Name Giant Sumpweed
Family Asteraceae or Compositae
USDA hardiness Coming soon
Known Hazards If consumed by cows the milk may taste bitter. The leaves can cause dermatitis. The pollen of this plant can cause autumn hay fever.
Habitats The species occurs in disturbed habitats such as abandoned fields, lowlands, floodplains and stream banks (Flora of North America Editorial Committee 1993+).
Range N. America. A casual in Britain[17].
Edibility Rating    (0 of 5)
Other Uses    (1 of 5)
Weed Potential Yes
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Iva xanthifolia Giant Sumpweed


http://www.flickr.com/photos/lostinfog/3875488927/
Iva xanthifolia Giant Sumpweed
USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database / Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. An illustrated flora of the northern United States, Canada and the British Possessions. Vol. 3: 340.

 

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Summary

An annual herb native to North America. It has been introduced to Western Asia and Central and Eastern Europe, where it is invasive. Now known to be a synonym of Cyclachaena xanthifolia. (Nutt.)Fresen.


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Iva xanthifolia is a ANNUAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in). The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs).
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil and can tolerate drought.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Cyclachaena xanthifolia. (Nutt.)Fresen.

Plant Habitats

 Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

None known

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.


An infusion or decoction of the plant has been drunk and used as a lotion in the treatment of coughs and influenza[257]. A poultice of the plant has been used in the treatment of boils[257].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

A possible substitute for some components of young rabbit forage, as it was palatable to them and had no toxic effects [1d].

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

We have very little information on this species and do not know its cultivation needs. However, it is likely to succeed in most soils that are not too heavy or wet and will probably prefer a sunny position. The pollen of this species is one of the main causes of hay fever[257].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Plant Propagation

Seed -

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

English: burweed marsh elder; burweed marshelder; burweed marshelder; carelessweed; false ragweed; giant marshelder; giant sumpweed; horseweed; marsh elder; marshelder; rag sumpweed. Austria: Rispenkrauts.

Native Range

Coming Soon

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

North America native introduced to Western Asia and Central and Eastern Europe, where it is invasive. The pollen of Iva xanthiifolia can induce allergic diseases and it may become a serious source of allergens in Europe [d]. Recorded infesting sugarbeet fields in Serbia. In Hungary, encroaching Iva xanthifolia threatens spring-sown row crops, such as sunflower, maize and sugarbeet. It can also cause considerable damage to sunflower plantations in Hungary [1d].

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status : Iva xanthifolia - Status: Least Concern.

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Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Author

Nutt.

Botanical References

17

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