absinth wormwood
(Artemisia absinthium)
This species is Introduced in the United States
Appearance
Artemisia absinthium is an herbaceous, perennial plant that can grow up to 5 ft. (1.5 m) tall. It has many branching stems arising from a woody base.
Foliage
Leaves are alternate, gray-green, 1-4 in. (2.5-10.2 cm) long and give off a strong sage-like scent when crushed. Lower leaves are divided into 2-3 segments and the upper leaves are not divided.
Flowers
Flowering occurs in midsummer, when pale yellow, tubular flowers develop in drooping heads in the axils of the leaves.
Fruit
Seeds are small and easily scattered being dispersed mainly by wind, water, and animals. Each stem can produce up to 50,000 seeds.
Ecological Threat
Artemisia absinthium invades open and disturbed sites such as pastures, rangelands, cropland, stream banks, prairies, and old fields. The plant is native to Europe and was first introduced into the United States in the mid-1800s.
Artemisia absinthium is an herbaceous, perennial plant that can grow up to 5 ft. (1.5 m) tall. It has many branching stems arising from a woody base.
Foliage
Leaves are alternate, gray-green, 1-4 in. (2.5-10.2 cm) long and give off a strong sage-like scent when crushed. Lower leaves are divided into 2-3 segments and the upper leaves are not divided.
Flowers
Flowering occurs in midsummer, when pale yellow, tubular flowers develop in drooping heads in the axils of the leaves.
Fruit
Seeds are small and easily scattered being dispersed mainly by wind, water, and animals. Each stem can produce up to 50,000 seeds.
Ecological Threat
Artemisia absinthium invades open and disturbed sites such as pastures, rangelands, cropland, stream banks, prairies, and old fields. The plant is native to Europe and was first introduced into the United States in the mid-1800s.
Resources
- Fire Effects Information System - USDA Forest Service
- Element Stewardship Abstract - The Nature Conservancy
Selected Images
Maps
EDDMapS Distribution - This map is incomplete and is based only on current site and county level reports made by experts, herbaria, and literature. For more information, visit www.eddmaps.org
State Lists - This map identifies those states that have this species on their invasive species list or law.
Invasive Listing Sources
- Colorado Noxious Weeds
- John Randall, The Nature Conservancy, Survey of TNC Preserves, 1995.
- Native Plant Society of Oregon, 2008
- North Dakota Noxious Weeds
- Pacific Northwest Exotic Pest Plant Council, 1998
- South Dakota Noxious Weeds
- Washington Noxious Weeds
- WeedUS - Database of Plants Invading Natural Areas in the United States
- Wisconsin Noxious Weeds
- Wisconsin's Invasive species rule – NR 40
Taxonomic Rank
| Domain: Eukarya |
| Kingdom: Plantae |
| Phylum: Magnoliophyta |
| Class: Magnoliopsida |
| Superorder: Asteranae |
| Order: Asterales |
| Family: Asteraceae |
| Subfamily: Asteroideae |
| Tribe: Anthemideae |
| Genus: Artemisia |
| Artemisia absinthium |
Synonyms and Other Names
Other Common Names:
absinthium, common wormwood
Related Scientific Names:
Artemisia absinthium ssp. insipida L. (Synonym)
References
Common Name Reference: USDA, NRCS. 2010. The PLANTS Database. National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA, USA.
Scientific Name Reference: USDA, NRCS. 2010. The PLANTS Database. National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA, USA.