common mugwort
Artemisia vulgaris
Known as the 'mother of herbs', it was historically used to flavor beer before the widespread use of hops.
- Scientific name
- Artemisia vulgaris
- Taxonomy
- Plantae › Tracheophyta › Magnoliopsida › Asterales › Asteraceae › Artemisia
- IUCN Red List status
- Least Concern
- Population trend
- increasing
- Biome
- urban
- Habitat
- Disturbed soils, roadsides, nitrogen-rich waste ground, and meadows.
- Diet
- Photosynthetic; absorbs minerals and water from soil.
- Range
- Europe, Asia, North America, North Africa
- Size
- 50cm to 2.5m in height.
- Lifespan
- Perennial; individual rootstocks can live for several years.
- Active
- diurnal
- Threats
- Intensive herbicide application and industrial land development.
- Safe to approach?
- Generally harmless and safe to touch. However, its pollen is a common allergen in late summer. If you have sensitive skin, contact may cause mild dermatitis; wash with soap and water if a rash develops. Do not ingest in large quantities due to thujone content.
Artemisia vulgaris ( common mugwort or common wormwood ) is one of several species in the genus Artemisia commonly known as mugwort, although Artemisia vulgaris is the species most often called mugwort. This species is also occasionally known as riverside wormwood , felon herb , chrysanthemum weed , wild wormwood , old Uncle Henry , sailor's tobacco , naughty man , old man or St. John's plant (not to be confused with St John's wort). Mugworts have been used medicinally and as culinary herbs.
Photo: Adam Kranz, CC0, via iNaturalist
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