Beach wormwood facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Beach wormwood |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Artemisia
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| Species: |
pycnocephala
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| Synonyms | |
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Artemisia pycnocephala is a type of sagebrush found in North America. It belongs to the sunflower family. People often call it beach wormwood, sandhill sage, or coastal sagewort.
This plant grows naturally along the western coast of the United States. You can find it from central Oregon all the way down to southern California.
What It Looks Like
This plant is a leafy perennial, meaning it lives for many years. It grows in clumps and can reach about 50 centimeters (20 inches) tall. It has straight stems covered with lots of leaves. These leaves can be light green or almost white.
Its fuzzy flower clusters have small, rounded yellowish buds and tiny leaves. The plant has a pleasant smell, but it's not as strong as some other plants in the wormwood family.
Where It Grows
You can find Artemisia pycnocephala growing naturally along the coasts of Oregon and California. It loves sandy and rocky soil in a special plant area called the Coastal Strand.
Experts from the University of California say this plant usually grows at elevations below 200 meters (about 650 feet). In California, it mostly grows from Del Norte County down to San Luis Obispo County. Some smaller groups of these plants have also been found in Los Angeles and San Diego Counties.
