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Big Marshelder

Cyclachaena xanthiifolia

Found in prairies; eastwards in disturbed areas, waste areas near wool-combing mills. Weakley, Flora of the Southeastern United States (2025), Northern Tier edition What its natural habitat tells you

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Not native

Not native to Virginia. How scores work Is it native here?

Profile 65%

Height
2–6 feet
Light
Partial shade, Full sun
Soil moisture
Dry to wet

At a glance

Life cycle
Annual
Bloom
August to October

Not yet recorded · Spread · Leaves

Recorded in 4 Virginia counties.

Natural habitats

Places it grows wild. Not a planting requirement. Each habitat page lists the plants and wildlife also found there.

1 of 2

Prairies and grasslands

Barrens native plants returning after prescribed fire, September 2020
Barrens grassland after a prescribed fire. Shown: Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky, a neighboring state.Barrens native plants returning after prescribed fire, September 2020, NPS Photo / Rick Olson, September 2020. Public domain. Source record.

Roadsides, fields and disturbed ground

Ground opened by people: roadsides, old fields, pastures, fencerows and lots.

All habitats

Ecological relationships

Who uses this plant?

What these records mean

1CaterpillarsGenus host records with ranges including VA

Genus host records with ranges including VA · Cyclachaena

  • Papaipema nebrisStalk Borer
Shropshire & Tallamy 2025, Lepidoptera of North America north of Mexico, ZooKeys 1261 (ODbL)
—BeesSoutheastern regional records
—Specialist beesPollen specialists
—BirdsRecorded genus food-resource interactions; not a state feeding claim
Growing and identification

Plant details

Family
Asteraceae

Safety has not been reviewed for this plant; check toxicity and thorns before planting.

Growing sources and scope
Also known as

Big Marsh Elder; Bur Weed Marsh Elder; Bur Weed Marshelder; Burweed Marsh Elder; Burweed Marshelder; Careless Weed; Carelessweed; Giant Sump Weed; Giant Sumpweed

Conservation status

Virginia rankSNA
Global rankNot available
VA statusNot verified
Federal statusNot verified

Conservation source

Native alternatives

Find natives for your garden

Sources