Pluchea odorata var. odorata

Saltmarsh-fleabane

Family: Asteraceae · Type: annual · Native

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.

Habitat: Moist, often saline valley bottoms

Bloom period: Jun-Nov

Elevation: < 1450 m

Bioregions: GV, n CCo, SW, D

Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Jepson eFlora, Cal-IPC, and more.