Maritime Marsh-elder is a common shrub of the edges of brackish marshes along the coast of North Carolina.

Iva frutescens usually grows at the edge of tidal mudflats.

New Hanover Co., NC 8/29/09.

Small yellowish-greenish flowers appear in late summer.

New Hanover Co., NC 8/29/09.

Flower detail.

New Hanover Co., NC 8/29/09.

Carteret Co., NC 9/28/2008.

The southern var. frutescens is common along the entire NC coast, while the northern var. oraria, distinguished by larger, broader leaves, occurs from Dare County north. The Dune Marsh-elder (Iva imbricata) tends to occur on oceanside dunes and has smaller, thicker, mostly untoothed leaves.

Carteret Co., NC 7/17/2008.

Carteret Co., NC 7/13/2008.

Dare Co., NC 11/7/08.

Carteret Co., NC 7/17/2008.

Carteret Co., NC 9/28/2008.

The flower heads are hidden in leafy bracts, making it difficult to tell, without close inspection, that Iva is in the sunflower family.

Carteret Co., NC 9/28/2008.

Brunswick Co., NC 8/25/07.

Bark detail.

Brunswick Co., NC 8/25/07.

The USDA PLANTS website uses the odd common name "Jesuit's bark" for Iva frutescens. What this refers to is unclear.

Carteret Co., NC 9/28/2008.