Cultivation can disperse root fragments. Deep roots can survive repeated cultivation for several years. Alternating wheat with summer fallow or growing perennial hay crops such as alfalfa can help suppress infestations. Managing pastures to prevent overgrazing helps to suppress colonization. Unlike poverty sumpweed , San Diego marsh-elder has flower heads with separate phyllaries .
Poverty weed is a perennial forb native to California and much of the Western United States.
It is a common component of many alkali plains plant communities where saline, poorly-drained, heavy clay soils occur. However, it is not completely limited to these areas. It may also persist along roadsides, cultivated fields and salt marsh areas. Although a native plant, poverty weed has been listed as a noxious weed due to the following problems. It is highly competitive when established in agricultural fields and may significantly reduce crop yields.