California mugwort

Artemisia douglasiana

California mugwort is a leafy plant that grows tall and has a lovely smell. It is often found in sunny places and can be used for making tea or for special ceremonies.

Habitat: Wetlands

Appearance

The California mugwort is a bushy perennial with upright stems. Its soft, lobed leaves are green on top and silvery-white underneath, giving it a shimmering look. Tiny, greenish-yellow flowers bloom in clusters, often going unnoticed.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderAsteralesFamilyAsteraceaeGenusArtemisia

California mugwort

Interesting facts

Crushing its leaves releases a unique, refreshing fragrance!

Its scientific name, Artemisia, honors an ancient Greek goddess!

Some people believe it brings clarity to dreams!

This tough plant can help stabilize eroding riverbanks!

Special abilities

California mugwort can spread by underground stems, helping it form dense colonies and recover quickly.

California mugwort has essential oils that give it a strong scent, which helps deter some hungry animals.

California mugwort can quickly grow in disturbed soils, helping it colonize new areas like roadsides and clearings.

Measurements & details

Height: 50-150 cm
Spread: 30-100 cm
Flower Size: 0.2-0.5 cm
Bloom Season: Summer-fall
Edible: Yes
Toxicity: Mild
Lifecycle: Perennial
Pollination Method: Wind

Ecological connections

eats

Douglas's Mugwort Moth

Eucosma douglasiana

Larvae feed on its leaves

eats

Artemisia Aphid

Macrosiphoniella artemisiae

Aphids suck sap from stems

eaten by

Mule Deer

Odocoileus hemionus

Browses on its foliage

Traits

Aromatic

Aromatic plants produce and emit fragrant volatile organic compounds, often for defense or to attract pollinators.

Shrub

A shrub is a woody plant smaller than a tree, typically with multiple stems branching from or near the ground.

Fragrant Flower

Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense.

Medicinal

Medicinal plants possess chemical compounds that can be used for therapeutic purposes to treat illnesses or maintain health.

Edible

Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption.

Wetland

This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs.