90. CA Mugwort - Artemisia douglasiana
Much of non-desert CA: WA to Baja
Many Plant Communities including
Coastal Sage Scrub, Chaparral,
Freshwater Marsh, Mountain Meadow,
Mixed-evergreen Forest, Southern
Oak Woodland
A plant of moist/riparian places
Named for David Douglas (1798-1834),
Scottish botanist who made several
journeys to America. Douglas provided
the material from which some 300
species of California plants were to be
described
http://www.swsbm.com/Maps/Artemisia_douglasiana.gif
‘Mugwort’ from use of this species in
mugs to flavor beer prior to hops
91. CA Mugwort in the wild
Usually in damp places in drier
surroundings - a ‘facultative
wetland indicator species’
grows vigorously in the late
winter through the middle of
spring
When the sun is shining it
inverts its leaves so the pale
undersides face the sun,
reflecting most of the rays
and keeping the plant from
losing valuable moisture
Loses it’s leaves in summer
drought
http://www.baynatives.com/plants/Artemisia-douglasiana/
92. Uses for CA Mugwort
Ground cover on naturally
landscaped slopes, hillsides
Under trees/shrubs like Mule
Fat
In planters & pots – contained
situations
For erosion control
This is an important medicine plant
for Native Californians. Used as a
purifying plant in ceremonies.
Also good for treating stomach &
other gastrointestinal illnesses