Artemisia vulgaris aka Mugwort

Artemisia vulgaris, or mugwort, is in the daisy family. It grows upright and lives for more than one year. It spreads through stems below ground, called rhizomes. Sources differ on its full native range. Missouri Botanical Garden lists Europe and northern Asia. NC State adds North Africa and Alaska to that range. RHS lists Britain and Ireland as part of its native range. It has spread beyond gardens in North America. It grows along roads, in meadows, and on waste ground.

Garden plants often reach 2–4 feet [0.6–1.22 metres] tall. Missouri Botanical Garden notes some reach 6 feet [1.83 metres]. RHS gives a taller range, up to 8.2 feet [2.5 metres]. Plants spread 3–6 feet [0.91–1.83 metres]. Their rhizomes can sometimes spread farther than this. RHS gives a narrower spread of 1.6–3.3 feet [0.5–1 metre]. The purple-brown stems have grooves and sharp angles. Most have no hairs, though flower stems have some. Green leaves grow in turns along the stems. They have deep lobes, with pale, woolly lower sides. The leaves smell strong, and the plant sheds them each year.

Small flower heads grow in groups that branch above the leaves. They range from yellow-green to reddish brown in colour. Each head holds tiny tube-shaped flowers called florets. They have no showy rays. Missouri Botanical Garden lists blooms from August to September. NC State gives a wider season, from July to October. Small brown fruits, called achenes, follow the flowers. Wind carries these light fruits away from the plant. NC State says few seeds can grow in temperate areas. RHS, though, says the plant spreads with ease by seed.

Mugwort grows best in sun but accepts some shade. It suits poor to fairly rich soil that drains well. Sources support both dry soil and moist soil that drains well. It copes with drought, deer, and rabbits. Its hardiness ratings are USDA 3–8 and RHS H6. Rich soil or shade can make the stems flop. Damp summer air may cause the leaves to decline. Wet soil can lead to root rot. RHS also lists honey fungus as a possible disease. Aphids, mites, scale, and leaf beetles may occur.

Mugwort can fill dry sites, but its spread limits garden use. Root pieces can grow into new plants when disturbed. Some regions class it as invasive. People use bitter leaves and young shoots in food. Dried leaves and flower tops also give tea flavour. People have long used mugwort in herbal medicine. This use does not prove it is safe or helpful. Large doses may poison people. Use over a long time may harm nerves. Skin contact can cause dermatitis, a skin rash, in some people. PFAF warns against use while pregnant, as it may cause miscarriage.