Jesuit’s
bark, Iva fruitescens, is mostly a coastal species but I seem to recall seeing it as far north as Tuscaloosa, but not as far north as
the groundsel-tree, Baccharis hamifolia,
which has a similar appearance, habitat, and classification where both are in
the sunflower family.They are both idea
for relatively wet areas especially if salt is a concern as suggested by the
other vernacular names like sump-weed, and marsh-elder were the marshes are salt
marshes although fresh marshes are preferable except for the greater competition.The bluish leaves have only
three veins, which is known as three nerved.
