Iva

(i’vii), n. [NL.: see ivy?.] 1. A specific name of the ground-pine Ajuga Iva or A. Chamepitys.—2. [So named by Linnseus as resembling the ground-pine Ajuga Iva in smell.] A small genus of composite plants, of the tribe Helianthoidee, type of the old tribe Ive. They are herbs or shrubs with entire dentate or di ected leaves, at least the lower ones opposite, and small spicately, racemosely, or paniculately disposed or scattered and commonly nodding heads, which incline to be polygamo-diecious through abortion of the ovaries. Seven or eight species are known, from North and South America and the West Indies. The maritime species, particularly J. frutescens, are called marsh-elder or high-water shrub.