Artemisia indica aka Columbia River Wormwood

Artemisia indica belongs to the daisy family, Asteraceae. Its common names include Indian mugwort and Indian wormwood. Kew places its native range from the Himalaya into northern and central China. Other sources report a wider Asian range, including Japan and Southeast Asia. It grows on waste ground in Japan. In Nepal, it grows beside paths and along cleared forest edges.

This fast-growing plant varies in form and life span. It may grow as an annual or a short-lived perennial. Some plants form a partly woody base. Much-branched stems rise from rhizomes, which can spread freely. Garden references give a height of about 4 feet [1.2 metres]. Broader descriptions report stems reaching about 5 feet [1.5 metres]. Its scent becomes stronger when it grows in poor, dry soil.

Flowers appear from August to October, with seeds ripening during those same months. Each flower has both male and female organs. Insects pollinate the flowers. The sources give little detail about flower colour or leaf shape. They list the plant for cultivated beds and scented planting. Its spreading roots deserve attention when choosing a place in a bed. No mature width is given.

Indian mugwort grows best in sun, though it can take partial shade. It suits sandy or loamy soil with good drainage. It accepts mildly acid, neutral, and mildly alkaline ground. Near-neutral or slightly alkaline loam is a preferred growing medium. Soil may be dry or moist. Poor, dry ground helps plants live longer and withstand cold. PFAF lists USDA zones 6–9. Sow seed on the surface in spring under glass. Keep the seed compost from drying out. Seeds can also go straight into the ground in late spring.

People cook the young leaves with barley. They also add them to sticky rice for flavour and colour. Dried leaves and flowers serve as incense. The plant yields essential oil with reported activity against insect larvae. Sources record folk remedies made from leaves, flowering stems, and roots. These uses do not establish that treatment is safe or effective. PFAF reports no known cases of toxicity for this species. That absence does not prove safety for people or pets.