Artemisia vulgaris - Mugwort

Phylum: Magnoliophyta - Class: Equisetopsida - Order: Asterales - Family: Asteraceae

By any standards Mugwort is far from being a photogenic wildflower.

Description

Mugwort is a very common perennial plant with numerous tiny flowers distinguished by reddish-brown stigma and stamens emerging from green sepal cases. The pinnate leaves are green above and silvery grey and hairy on their undersides. Plants usually grow to a height of 0.6 to 1.2m but exceptionally can reach 2m.

Distribution

In Britain, Artemisia vulgaris is widely distributed throughout lowland Britain and Ireland. This species is native to Europe, North Africa and parts of Asia and has been introduceds to many other parts of bthe world including the USA.

Above: the grooved stems of Mugwort are sometimes green but more often deep purple.

Habitat

Mugwort is a weed of wasteland and disturbed land beside busy tracks and on untended grassy roadside verges. This species does not cope with either deep shade or significant grazing pressure.

Blooming Times

In Britain and Ireland Mugwort flowers can usually be seen from late April through to October.

Uses

A wide range of insects, including bees and particularly butterflies, appear to be very fond of the flowers of Mugwort.

Etymology

Artemisia, the genus name, comes from Latin via Greek and is a reference to Artemis, the Greek godess of (among other things) vegetation and childbirth. The specific epithet vulgaris comes from Latin and means 'common'.