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Riverside Wormwood Artemisia vulgaris

Other Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
ar-tem-EE-zee-ah vul-GAIR-iss
Description

Mugwort is a perennial weed in the daisy family. It typically grows in loamy or sandy soils in forested areas, coastal strands and along roadsides and does not tolerate wet soils with poor drainage. It spreads by rhizomes and can form dense mats. This plant has been listed as invasive in several states.

More information on Artemisia.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#spreading#rhizomes#perennial weeds#weed
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#spreading#rhizomes#perennial weeds#weed
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Artemisia
    Species:
    vulgaris
    Family:
    Asteraceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    A long history of use in herbal medicine. Leaf aroma helps repel insects.
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Root Cutting
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Eurasia, Alaska
    Distribution:
    Eastern and central USA, NW USA and Canada
    Dimensions:
    Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Perennial
    Weed
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Multi-stemmed
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    High
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Shallow Rocky
    Soil pH:
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Occasionally Dry
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Fruit Type:
    Achene
    Fruit Description:
    Achene is small and lightweight and is blown by the wind.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Green
    Purple/Lavender
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Insignificant
    Panicle
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Tubular
    Flower Petals:
    Bracts
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Each flowerhead is 1/8" across or a little larger and consists of numerous rayless florets with thread-like pistils extending out from the center. They are egg-shaped and erect to drooping. Color is dull yellowish-green to reddish-brown. Blooms July-October.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Oblong
    Leaf Margin:
    Lobed
    Serrate
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Basal leaves are elliptic, oblong, and deeply lobed. The leaves mid stem are elliptic to ovate, Up to 4 inches long and 2.5 inches wide and lobed pinnately or bipinnately. Leaf margins may be serrate. Undersides are paler with hairs.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Purple/Lavender
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Cross Section:
    Angular
    Stem Surface:
    Hairy (pubescent)
    Stem Description:
    The purple-brown stems are largely hairless except on the flowering stems. They are angular and furrowed.
  • Landscape:
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Drought
    Dry Soil
    Rabbits
    Problems:
    Contact Dermatitis
    Weedy