Arctic wormwood facts for kids

The Artemisia senjavinensis, also known as the arctic wormwood, is a very special and rare plant. It belongs to the sunflower family, just like the big, bright sunflowers you might know! This plant lives in the cold Arctic regions.

You can only find the arctic wormwood in a few places. It grows on the Seward Peninsula in Alaska, which is part of the United States. It also lives across the Bering Strait on the Chukotka (or Chukchi) Peninsula in Russia. These areas are very cold and often covered in snow and ice.

Arctic Wormwood: A Rare Plant

The arctic wormwood is a unique plant that has adapted to harsh, cold environments. It is considered rare because it only grows in these specific, limited locations. Its ability to survive in such extreme conditions makes it a fascinating species for scientists to study.

Where Does It Live?

This plant prefers to grow at low elevations. You will usually find it close to the seashore in its Arctic home. The Bering Strait area, where it lives, is a narrow body of water that separates Alaska from Russia. This region is known for its strong winds and very cold temperatures.

What Does It Look Like?

The arctic wormwood is a type of shrub. It can grow up to 90 centimeters (about 3 feet) tall. It has many stems that grow very close together, forming a dense clump.

• Its leaves are a gray-green color.
• The leaves feel soft and woolly.
• Most of its leaves grow in a rosette shape. This means they form a circular pattern close to the ground.
• The plant also has many small flower heads. These flowers are usually yellow or tan in color.

The woolly leaves and dense growth help the plant stay warm and protect it from the cold Arctic winds.

See Also

• Flora of Alaska
• Flora of the Russian Far East