Pluchea odorata var. odorata
Saltmarsh-fleabane
Madeleine Claire (via Wikimedia Commons) · CC BY
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Pluchea odorata var. odorata (Saltmarsh-fleabane) is a native California subshrub in the Asteraceae family, recognized by key differences are scent, leaf attachment, and flower color.
Saltmarsh-fleabane is a California native annual found in the Great Valley, northern Central Coast, southwestern, and desert regions in moist, often saline valley bottoms at elevations below 1,450 meters. Flowering from June to November, this plant produces lavender to bright purple flowers in compact heads with involucres 4.5 to 5.5 millimeters long. Growing 5 to 12 or more decimeters tall with a coarse, distinctively scented habit, the plant has petioled leaves and spreads widely in open wetland environments. Its leaves are softly attached to stems, providing a delicate contrast to the plant's robust overall structure. The fruit is tiny, approximately 1 millimeter long, with slender pappus bristles that aid in wind dispersal.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 1 sympatric species; key differences are scent, leaf attachment, and flower color
Habitat and range
Habitat: Moist, often saline valley bottoms
Elevation: < 1450 m
Outside California: to eastern United States, Caribbean, northern South America, Africa, Pacific islands
Bloom period
Pluchea odorata var. odorata blooms Jun-Nov.
How to tell it apart
vs Baccharis: Pluchea has purple disk flowers and strong scent; Baccharis has whitish flowers and lacks strong scent.; vs Atriplex: Pluchea has purple daisy-like flower heads; Atriplex (Amaranthaceae) has tiny clustered flowers without rays.; vs Salix: Pluchea has purple daisy flower heads; Salix has catkins and is in willow family.; vs Asclepias: Pluchea has purple disk flowers in daisy heads; Asclepias (milkweed) has distinctive umbel flowers with horns.; vs Artemisia: Pluchea has purple disk flowers and strong scent; Artemisia has yellow-green rayless heads.
Frequently asked questions
Is Pluchea odorata var. odorata native to California?
Yes. Pluchea odorata var. odorata is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Pluchea odorata var. odorata bloom?
Pluchea odorata var. odorata blooms Jun-Nov.
What plant family does Pluchea odorata var. odorata belong to?
Pluchea odorata var. odorata is in the Asteraceae family, genus Pluchea.
What habitat does Pluchea odorata var. odorata grow in?
Pluchea odorata var. odorata grows in Moist, often saline valley bottoms.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.