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(Iva hayesiana)
San Diego Marsh Elder (Iva hayesiana)
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Millie Basden
CC BY 4.0
Image By:
Millie Basden
Recorded By:
Copyright:
CC BY 4.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: Millie Basden | License Type: CC BY 4.0 | License URL: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ | Rights Holder: Millie Basden | Publisher: iNaturalist | Date Created: 2018-05-12T08:11:28-07:00 |
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Iva hayesiana, commonly known as San Diego marsh elder or San Diego povertyweed, is a shrubby perennial herb native to coastal sage scrub and salt marsh edges in northwestern Baja California and southern California, specifically in San Diego, Orange, Los Angeles, Ventura, and San Bernardino Counties. It typically grows to about one meter (40 inches) in height and is characterized by its green, oval-shaped, fleshy, glandular, and aromatic leaves. The flowers of Iva hayesiana are inconspicuous, with male flowers featuring translucent corollas and simple yellow stamens, while female flowers, when present, lack corollas entirely. Flowering occurs in the late summer to fall.
San Diego marsh elder is valued for its drought tolerance and suitability for fire-resistant landscaping, making it a recommended ornamental plant in Southern California’s xeriscapes. It thrives in full sun to part shade and can adapt to low or medium water conditions, preferring soils with slow drainage. This species is also beneficial for habitat restoration projects, particularly in coastal environments where it can help stabilize soil and provide cover for wildlife. However, it is not commonly found in nurseries and may require sourcing from specialized native plant suppliers.CC BY-SA 4.0
San Diego marsh elder is valued for its drought tolerance and suitability for fire-resistant landscaping, making it a recommended ornamental plant in Southern California’s xeriscapes. It thrives in full sun to part shade and can adapt to low or medium water conditions, preferring soils with slow drainage. This species is also beneficial for habitat restoration projects, particularly in coastal environments where it can help stabilize soil and provide cover for wildlife. However, it is not commonly found in nurseries and may require sourcing from specialized native plant suppliers.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Subshrub, Herb
- Height: 2-3 feet
- Width: 6-9 feet
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Flower Color: N/A
- Flowering Season: Spring, Summer
- Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
- Water: Medium, High
- Drainage: Slow
Common Uses
Bird Garden, Butterfly Garden, Erosion Control, Low Maintenance
Natural Habitat
Coastal sage scrub and salt marsh edges
Other Names
Common Names: San Diego Povertyweed, San Diego Marsh-Elder
Scientific Names: , Iva hayesiana,
GBIF Accepted Name: Iva hayesiana A.Gray