Almost all wormwoods are important larval hosts for butterflies and moths, and though flowers are often inconspicuous, used by many nectar-feeding insects.
Artemisia is named for Artemis, the Greek goddess of the hunt and namesake of Artemisia, queen of Anatolia.
The Genus Artemisia
Family: Asteraceae
This is a very important genus of 523 species worldwide. Important because of their interesting chemistry which has been long useful to both humans and other species (especially insects and birds).
A few famous wormwoods come to mind: French tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus var. sativa) is famous as a culinary herb. French tarragon has a pungent, licorice-like taste. The species occurs all over the world but the true French tarragon seldom produces any flowers (or seeds). Some tarragon plants produce seeds that are generally sterile. So French tarragon must be obtained from cutting-grown plants. Wild tarragon is native even in Arizona, though it lacks the charismatic flavor of the French tarragon.
The other famous wormwood is Artemisia absinthium which is used to flavor absinthe, a liqueur famous for inspiring artists to go into hallucinogenic frenzies. Absinthe doesn’t seem to actually produce real hallucinogenic experiences, but the bohemian artist communities that made the reputation for this liqueur were known for other peculiar habits (sleep deprivation, drinking all day instead of eating, lounging around being artistic or philosophical, etc) that probably contributed to their experiences.
The genus has many valuable medicinal plants that wherever they occur, are important to the people who live amongst them.
Photo of Artemisia ludoviciana (silver wormwood) by Mountain States Wholesale Nursery.
Dragon Wormwood
Artemisia dracunculus
Shrubby deciduous plant, reaching about 3-4’ tall, bigger in favored conditions. Numerous white to yellow flowers appear August, into the fall.
Full to part sun, moderate to low water, hardy to well below 0°F.
Nectar rich flowers for pollinators and like all species in this genus, important for native bees.
This plant is related to french tarragon which is a cultivated selection of this species (which is cosmopolitan). Though they don’t taste like French tarragon (the French would be appalled at the comparison) they DO have their own flavor that varies from plant to plant and can be used as spice. With some selection we can develop our own Baja Arizona tarragon. Local culinary uses as a tea, a spice, and the leaves and seeds were eaten. Also burned to keep away mosquitos. Extensive medicinal uses including treatment of dysentery, colic in infants, urinary problems, swollen feet and legs, headaches, arthritic pain, diaper rash, colds, chickenpox sores, venereal diseases, nettle stings. Also used stop women-s menstruation, as a heart medicine, and as a wash for open sores. Used to help promote hair growth and make hair long and soft, and as a love charm.Photo by Steve Jones, iNaturalist
Artemisia dracunculus on SEINET
The species name, dracunculus, is derived from the Greek draconis, dragon and -unculus, little, or a little dragon.
Found on dry slopes and along arroyos, from 3,500-9,000 ft throughout North America, particularly in the western United States, south into northern Mexico. Some populations also in Canada, Alaska, with a disjunct population in Eurasia that appears to be native. French tarragon is a selection of this species but seems to only be grown from asexual propagation techniques. Seed sold on the market is mostly a Russian version (and lacks the aroma and flavor or the French tarragon).
Artemisia filifolia
Sand Sagebrush
Small, deciduous perennial growing about 1.5’ high and spreading about 2’. Plant dies to ground in winArtemisia filifolia
Sand Sagebrush
Evergreen (silver) shrub to 3x3’ with intensely aromatic foliage. The pale yellow flowers are inconspicuous.
Full sun, moderate to low water with good drainage, hardy to -30°F.
Birds eat the seeds and use plants for nest building. Larval food plant for butterflies and moths. Artemesias are important for native bee species.
Used medicinally for boils, indigestion, and as a snakebite remedy; also used ceremonially.
The species, filifolia, is from filiform, or threadlike, and -folia, for leaf.
Found in loose, sandy soils, in grasslands and dunes, from 4,000-6,000 ft. in Nevada, Utah, Wyoming and South Dakota, south to Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, and northern Mexico.
Western Mugwort
Artemisia ludoviciana
Spreading perennial growing about 3’ tall (often much shorter) spreading to form small colonies. Blooms are small, yellowish flowers that are secondary to the silver color of the erect stems and narrow leaves, created by a dense coat of hairs.
Full to part sun, moderate water, hardy to -30°F. Plants grow from a rhizome underground and may need to be cut back periodically, especially after blooming.
Larval food plant for the painted lady (Vanessa cardui), and the American lady (Vanessa virginiensis) butterflies, as well as the a few Noctuid flower moth (in the genus Schinia), and some tortrix moths (family Tortricidae). Mugworts are especially important to native bee species. This species has been used for bird nests and has a repellant effect on pests that harass birds.
This plant has a long history of medicinal use as tea and smudge. It is also used for flavoring liquors.
Artemisia is named for Artemis, the Greek goddess of the hunt and namesake of Artemisia, queen of Anatolia, while the species name, “ludoviciana”, means either "of or from Louisiana” or “of St. Louis” describing part of the plant's range. Thomas Nuttall (1786-1859) described this species in his The Genera of North American Plants of 1818.
Found in a variety of habitats including exposed slopes, forests, woodlands, and sandy floodplains from 2,500-8,500 ft., widespread across most of the United States, Canada, and Mexico.