California Mugwort
Artemisia douglasiana
California mugwort is an extraordinarily common plant, hiding in ditches and roadsides across California. The plant’s distinctive grey-green leaves, which range from 3-6 inches long, are evenly spaced around a thin central stem. Mugwort’s leaves have 3-5 lobes at the tips, which can be deep and hooked or nearly absent. During its bloom period, the plant has small bell-shaped flower clusters, though they are inconspicuous, rarely producing viable seeds. The plant mainly reproduces by spreading underground roots, which is why the plant is often found in colonies.
Basic Information
Member of the Asteraceae (Sunflower) family, although plants in this genus don't look like it
Perennial herb
Habitat
Native to the western United States and into Baja California
Found in virtually every county of California
Often found in moist areas, such as drainages and roadside ditches, though it is often riparian in the drier parts of its range
Can also be found in woodlands, grassland and chaparral ecosystems
Ecological Role
Seeds are foraged by a variety of native birds
Leaves are used as nesting material by some native bees
Reproduction
Though it can reproduce from seeds, mugwort is primarily propagated from the division and spread of its rhizomes (horizontal underground roots)
Blooms from May to October
Alternative Names
Douglas’ Sagwort
Historical Uses
California Mugwort was widely used by Native American peoples in its range. The most common uses of the plant were medicinal, predominantly in the treatment of rheumatism, arthritis, headaches and wound treatment, though many tribes also used the plant ceremonially
Further uses of the plant, beyond those mentioned above, by different tribes include:
The Ohlone used a decoction of the plant to treat asthma, earaches, and urinary problems
The burned the branches were used for night fishing and to smoke out bees
The Karok used the shoots while drying salmon to keep 'salmon beetles' away
The Kawaiisu used an infusion of plant used to resume the menstrual flow, prevent hair from falling out, and to bathe a mother and father after childbirth
Also used as an aromatic perfume
The Miwok predominantly used the plant ceremonially — they wore the leaves in their noses while in mourning, rubbed the leaves on corpse handlers to ward off ghosts of the deceased, worn on a necklace to prevent dreaming of the dead, and the poisoned leaves were carried to avoid personal injury
The pungent odor was also used to clear heads
The Paiute used the burning plant as an inhalant for grippe
The Kashaya Pomo used the plant to treat stomach aches and cramps associated with diarrhea, to wash itching sores, and stop excessive menstruation or to ease cramps
The dried leaves were used as a tobacco substitute
The Tolowa gave an infusion of fresh leaves to children for 'pin worm’ and used the fresh leaves used as a steamed herb for fractures
The Washo took the leaves for pains or 'troubles inside
The Yuki took a decoction of leaves taken for dysentery, an infusion in a steam bath for difficulties attending childbirth, and an infusion of plant was given to injured animals
Additional Information
Useful in restoration projects and erosion control
leaves contain thujone and cineole
