Native Plants
![](../_images/smarty_plants.gif)
Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?
A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
![](../_images/mr_smarty_plants_logo_web_200w.jpg)
rate this answer
![](../_images/star_00.gif)
Thursday - October 22, 2015
From: Houston, TX
Region: Select Region
Topic: Herbs/Forbs
Title: Is Iva Angustifolia Salt Tolerant?
Answered by: Anne Van Nest
QUESTION:
I was wondering about the salt tolerance of narrow-leaf sumpweed (Iva angustifolia). It is the predominant species on a disturbed site in Haynesville, LA where brine contamination is in question. Until we can sample the soil, I was wondering what this plant could tell us about the environment.ANSWER:
The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries has a good factsheet online about the Natural Communities of Louisiana and lists Iva angustifolia as a halophytic (salt-tolerant) native plant in the interior salt flat community.
The Texas AgriLife Extension service lists Iva angustifolia in their Plants of Texas Rangelands website. They write ... Marshelder is a native, warm-season annual that is also commonly named "narrowleaf sumpweed." A member of the Sunflower family, it is characterized by its leaf-like bracts in the flowering stem. Marshelder is very drought tolerant.
This plant germinates in the early spring in February or March and is mostly vegetative, with long, narrow leaves. The flowers, which resemble those of the ragweed group, are inconspicuous. It flowers in late summer and fall. Marshelder occurs on seepy areas or those that may hold some water in the spring, especially along the edges of creeks and ponds
From the Image Gallery
More Herbs/Forbs Questions
Pet Friendly Groundcovers for CA
January 23, 2016 - I am looking for pet friendly, groundcover plants in San Jose, CA.
view the full question and answer
Care for some non-native salvias from Austin
November 12, 2012 - Mexican bush sage and Salvia "indigo spires" are both blooming in my Austin beds right now. Once they stop blooming and/or frost gets them, could you tell me by how much they should be cut back? R...
view the full question and answer
Opinion of 5 best native garden plants in Oklahoma from Burneyville OK
September 07, 2013 - What would you say are the 3 to 5 BEST native garden plants for south central Oklahoma?
view the full question and answer
Use of cedar/juniper mulch in wildflower meadows
August 31, 2013 - What to do with freshly shredded cedar/juniper mulch? We have a pile of freshly ground cedar mulch that we can either keep in a large pile until it has composted(but the neighbors are complaining), or...
view the full question and answer
Flowering native perennials for St. Louis
August 09, 2007 - Dear Mr. Smarty Plants,
I'm trying to landscape a yard that sits on rocky clay soil in St. Louis, MO. The front yard has been difficult because of its brutal southern exposure - the afternoon sun ...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |