Ragweed sagebrush facts for kids

Artemisia franserioides, also known as the ragweed sagebrush or bursage mugwort, is a fascinating plant found in North America. It belongs to the large and diverse sunflower family, which includes many plants you might recognize! This plant grows naturally in the southwestern United States, specifically in Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, and Oklahoma. You can also find it in northern Mexico, especially in the state of Chihuahua.

What is Ragweed Sagebrush?

The ragweed sagebrush is a type of plant that can live for two years (biennial) or even longer (perennial). This means it doesn't just grow and die in one season. It's a hardy plant that can return year after year.

What Does it Look Like?

This plant can grow quite tall, reaching up to 100 centimeters, which is about 40 inches. That's almost as tall as a typical 10-year-old! It has a faint, pleasant smell, a bit like other plants in the sagebrush family.

How Tall Does it Get?

Imagine a plant that can stand as tall as you are! Artemisia franserioides can reach heights of up to 100 centimeters (about 40 inches). This makes it quite noticeable in the places where it grows.

What About its Flowers?

The ragweed sagebrush has many small flower heads. These aren't just single flowers, but clusters of tiny flowers grouped together. They often hang down, giving the plant a unique look. You'll usually find this plant growing in conifer forests, which are forests filled with trees like pines and firs.

What's in a Name?

The scientific name franserioides might sound a bit tricky, but it has a cool meaning! It comes from Latin and Greek words. It means "resembling the genus Franseria." Long ago, there was a plant group called Franseria. However, scientists later realized that Franseria plants were actually part of another group called Ambrosia, which are commonly known as ragweeds. So, the name tells us this plant looks a bit like those ragweeds!