Pluchea camphorata

Common Names

Camphorweed, Camphor Pluchea, Plowman's-Wort, Marsh Fleabane

Summary

Pluchea camphorata, commonly camphor pluchea or camphor weed, is an Asteraceae herb native to wetlands of the eastern and southern United States. It is an annual or short‑lived perennial reaching about 50–200 cm in height, with elliptic to oblong leaves and paniculiform inflorescences bearing pink to rose‑purple disk florets and no ray florets. Flowering occurs August–October, with year‑round blooming possible in the south; when bruised, the plant emits a strong camphor‑like, fetid odor.

Habitat includes swamps, bottomland channels, flatwoods, marshes, streamsides, and other wet or moist freshwater sites at 0–30 m elevation, with FACW wetland status. Distribution is widespread in the eastern and southern United States, and the species commonly coexists with pin oak, buttonbush, swamp cottonwood; distinguishing features include inner phyllaries that are thin, nearly translucent, and longer than the outer ones.

Lifecycle

Annual and Perennial

Height

19.5-79 inches

Hardiness Zones

Zones not specified in sources

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally full Sun. Tolerates Partial Shade to Full Sun.

Soil Type

Moist to wet soils (wetlands, marshes, bottomlands)

Soil Drainage

Wet, poorly drained soils.

Soil pH

0-7, Slightly acidic soil (pH below 7)

Bloom Color

Pink to Purple

Bloom Time

Fall (August–October)

Foliage Color

Unknown

Leaf Lifecycle

Other

Growth Rate

Fast

Seasons of Interest

Summer and Fall

Propagation Methods

Seeds

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts Monarchs and Swallowtail butterflies, no information on attraction of bees, hummingbirds, other pollinators, or birds