Artemisia vulgaris L.
Artemisia
Mugwort is a native British perennial of the daisy family, a common plant of roadside verges, waste ground, field edges, embankments and other rough, disturbed places across the country. It forms tall, often reddish, ridged stems clothed in deeply cut, dark green leaves that are strikingly silvery-white and downy beneath, and the whole plant is aromatic when crushed.
About
Mugwort is a native British perennial of the daisy family, a common plant of roadside verges, waste ground, field edges, embankments and other rough, disturbed places across the country. It forms tall, often reddish, ridged stems clothed in deeply cut, dark green leaves that are strikingly silvery-white and downy beneath, and the whole plant is aromatic when crushed. Its flowers are very different from showy daisies: dense, branched spikes of tiny, dull reddish-brown to yellowish heads that are easily overlooked.
It thrives in full sun on dry, well-drained, often poor or disturbed soils. Flowering through later summer into autumn, it is wind-pollinated rather than reliant on insects, though it is a foodplant for the caterpillars of various moths. Long valued as a herb in cooking and traditional remedies, it suits wilder, naturalistic plantings and rougher ground, where its aromatic foliage and tall, feathery form add texture rather than floral colour.
Also known as
Common Wormwood · Eurasian wormwood · Felonherb · Green-ginger · Mugwort
Synonyms
Artemisia cannabifolia nigrescens · Artemisia indica heyneana · Artemisia opulenta opulenta · Artemisia parvifolia · Artemisia vulgaris coarctica · Artemisia vulgaris typica
Beta — under active development. This catalogue is still being built and accuracy-checked. The information here (including plant identifications, British native status, soil and sun/shade preferences) is provided in good faith for general guidance only and may contain errors or omissions. It must not be relied upon on its own — please confirm details with us before making planting, specification, foraging or purchasing decisions, and never eat or medicinally use any plant based on this catalogue alone, as some species are toxic. To the extent permitted by law, Phoenix Amenity Supplies accepts no liability for any loss arising from use of this information.