SWEETSCENT

CAUTION: “It is contraindicated for people who get migraines, during pregnancy, and should be used in moderation.” [1] 

MEDICINAL USES: See caution below. Backyard Nature Blog writes, “Mainly it's used as a vaginal wash for various female problems, and for washing up after childbirth. Other uses include being taking for headaches, inflamed gums, lung ailments, earaches. Moreover, a 2011 paper by S. Bauer and others found that extracts of Salt-marsh Fleabane "disturb cancer cell cycle progression," thus warrant further study in the fight against cancer. A 2012 paper by M. Seelinger and others found support for the belief that extracts of the plant speed up healing and might hinder tumor formation.” “In some parts of the Caribbean, Sweetscent is a widely consumed medicinal herbal tea. The hot tea made from the leaves is a stimulant. It stimulates perspiration, in the manner of pleurisy root or pennyroyal, and is diuretic. It is a safe and reliable menstrual stimulant when flow begins late, is scanty, and there are clotty cramps. Moreover, it is antispasmodic, thus relieving cramping. It similarly inhibits spasms and cramps from diarrhea and stomach ache. Used as an eyewash it reduces redness and pain from hay fever, wind and dust. Tea concentrate has been marketed as a coffee substitute. Unlike coffee which is a vasoconstrictor, sweetscent tea is a vasodilator.” [1] Florida Ethnobotany writes, ““In Florida, this discussion focuses on P. carolinensis and P. odorata.  It is often difficult to sort out uses.  Since both species have mostly the same applications, exact identity is not critical.”
- AS PART OF POSTPARTUM CARE: “To lower and heat the milk in the breasts and calm pains, give bath of hot water with Ciguapate [Plucheaodorata], Siquinai [Vernonia sp.], Guaruma [Cecropiapalmata], and Santa Maria [Piper sp.] on third and eigth days after the birth.” [10]
- MEDICINAL STUDIES: Backyard Nature blog writes, "A 2011 paper by S Bauer and others found that extracts of Salt-marsh Fleabane "disturb cancer cell cycle progression," thus warrant further study in the fight against cancer. A 2012 paper by M. Seelinger and others found support for the belief that extracts of the plant speed up healing and might hinder tumor formation." [8]
TO REPEL FLEAS:  Some common names “suggest they have been used to repel fleas.” [2] "The fragrant dried leaves have been used as an insect repellant." [6] 

WILDLIFE: "The sweet scent of the flowers, and the abundant nectar, attract a wide range of insects." [6] “Attracts bees, wasps, and butterflies.” [4] “Especially bees.” [5]
POTPOURRI: "They would make a good addition to old-fashioned sachets." [6]
DRIED ARRANGEMENTS: "Dried flowers are also attractive in floral arrangements." [6,7] 

NATIVE TO: The southern US, Mexico, the Caribbean, south to Central America and northern South America. In Florida, it occurs in most counties, being less common in northern counties.
DECSRIPTION: A flowering herbaceous annual or short-lived perennial 2-4’ tall, sometimes to 6’.
- STEMS: Rough.
- LEAVES: Oval, soft, toothed, 2-6” long, alternate, rough, covered with trichomes [hairs], being strongly aromatic. Musky-sweet scent when crushed. [8] 
- INFLORESCENCE / FLOWERS: Inflorescence contains many flowerheads, each less than 0.4” long, contain many bright pinkish-purple flowers, lacking ray flowers yet showy, appearing summer to fall. Flowers "fragrant." [7]
- FRUIT: “The fruit is a tiny achene tipped with a bristly pappus.” [1] "The fruits are released into the wind." [8]
- NOTE: One distinguishing feature of this particular species: “Lateral flowering branches longer than the terminal ones.”
HABITAT: Wetlands, often in saline substrates. "Salt and freshwater swamps and marshes." "Tidal marshes to the edges of wet ditches and hardwood hammocks." [5] "Coastal habitats and inland wetlands" [8]
CULTURE: It "does very well in local clay soils." [6]
- FLOODING: "This plant can also take the seasonal flooding." [6]
- CONTAINERS: "Sweetscent does fine in a large container." [6]
PROPAGATION: Dr. Craig Huegel writes, in his very informative Hawthorne Hill Wildflowers blog, "It would be easy to propagate, however, from the wispy seed heads in fall. Just make sure you can give it the moisture it requires - either salt or fresh." [5] "Sweetscent is easy to start from fresh seed." [6]