This is a common plant of marshy places and damp ground next to lakes and ponds. It flowers in late summer. The names arises because smoke which arises from burning this plant is reputed to drive away fleas and midges. The Latin for flea: Pulex gives the genus name and since its other use was a cure for dysentery, the species name became dysenterica.

While Pulicaria dysenterica is common throughout England and Wales, the frequency of records drops very rapidly as you go north past the Lake District towards Scotland. There is very little to be found in Scotland. In Ireland it is quite common but not as common as in England.

RSPB Reserve Deganwy 23rd August 2001

Added on February 1st 2005, updated 30th July 2011