Artemisia ludoviciana facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Artemisia ludoviciana |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Artemisia
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| Species: |
ludoviciana
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| Synonyms | |
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Synonymy
Cacalia runcinata Kunth
Artemisia brittonii Rydb. Artemisia cuneata Rydb. Artemisia diversifolia Rydb. Artemisia falcata Rydb. Artemisia ghiesbreghtii Rydb. Artemisia gnaphalodes Nutt. Artemisia herriotii Rydb. Artemisia lindheimeriana Scheele Artemisia muelleri Rydb. Artemisia pabularis (A.Nelson) Rydb. Artemisia paucicephala A.Nelson Artemisia platyphylla Rydb. Artemisia pudica Rydb. Artemisia purshiana Besser Artemisia revoluta Rydb. 1916 not Edgew. 1846 Artemisia rhizomata A.Nelson Artemisia albula Wooton, syn of subsp. albula Artemisia microcephala Wooton 1898, syn of subsp. albula, not A. microcephala Hillebr. 1888 Artemisia candicans Rydb., syn of subsp. candicans Artemisia gracilenta A.Nelson, syn of subsp. candicans Artemisia latiloba (Nutt.) Rydb., syn of subsp. candicans Artemisia prescottiana Besser, syn of subsp. incompta Artemisia pumila Nutt., syn of subsp. incompta Artemisia arachnoidea E.Sheld., syn of subsp. incompta Artemisia atomifera Piper, syn of subsp. incompta Artemisia incompta Nutt., syn of subsp. incompta Artemisia lindleyana Besser, syn of subsp. incompta' Artemisia cuneifolia Scheele, syn of subsp. mexicana Artemisia mexicana Willd. ex Spreng., syn of subsp. mexicana Artemisia neomexicana Greene ex Rydb., syn of subsp. mexicana Oligosporus mexicanus (Willd. ex Spreng.) Less., syn of subsp. mexicana Artemisia redolens A.Gray, syn of subsp. redolens Artemisia sulcata Rydb., syn of subsp. sulcata |
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Artemisia ludoviciana is a North American species of flowering plant in the daisy family Asteraceae, known by several common names, including silver wormwood, western mugwort, Louisiana wormwood, white sagebrush, and gray sagewort.
Ludoviciana is the Latinized version of the word Louisiana.
Description
Artemisia ludoviciana is a rhizomatous perennial growing to heights between 0.33–1 metre (1.1–3.3 ft). The stems bear linear leaves up to 11 centimeters long. The stems and foliage are covered in woolly gray or white hairs.
The top of the stem is occupied by a narrow inflorescence of many nodding (hanging) flower heads. Each small head is a cup of hairy phyllaries surrounding a center of yellowish disc florets and is about half a centimeter wide.
The fruit is a minute achene.
Distribution
The plant is native to North America where it is widespread across most of the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Some botanists suggest that eastern United States populations have been introduced from the western and central part of the continent.
Subspecies
Subspecies include:
- Artemisia ludoviciana subsp. albula (Wooton) D.D.Keck—deserts from California + Colorado to Chihuahua, Sonora, Baja California
- Artemisia ludoviciana subsp. candicans (Rydb.) D.D.Keck—Rocky Mountains + Cascade Range from Alberta + British Columbia to California + Colorado
- Artemisia ludoviciana subsp. incompta (Nutt.) D.D.Keck—mountains from Alberta + British Columbia to Mexico
- Artemisia ludoviciana subsp. ludoviciana—western + central United States + western Canada
- Artemisia ludoviciana subsp. mexicana (Willd. ex Spreng.) D.D.Keck—Mexico as far south as Puebla; United States as far north as Colorado + Missouri
- Artemisia ludoviciana subsp. redolens (A.Gray) D.D.Keck—Durango, Chihuahua, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas
- Artemisia ludoviciana subsp. sulcata (Rydb.) D.D.Keck—Chihuahua, Sonora, Arizona
Uses
Native Americans
Native Americans used the species as a medicinal plant, a source of fiber for crafting household items, and for ceremonial purposes. The Dakotas used this plant to protect against maleficent powers. The Apache, Chiricahua and Mescalero used this plant for spices while Blackfoot tribe used it as a drug for dermatological purposes. Gros Ventre also used it for skin curing as well as medicine against cold, because it also antipyretic.
Cultivation
Artemisia ludoviciana is cultivated as an ornamental plant. Being rhizomatous, it can spread aggressively in some climates and gardens.
Popular cultivars include 'Valerie Finnis' and 'Silver Queen.' Both are hardy to USDA zone 4. 'Valerie Finnis' has held the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit since 1993.
See also
In Spanish: Estafiate para niños
