Data provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria

View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora

Artemisia ludoviciana is a species of sagebrush known by several common names, including silver wormwood, white sagebrush, and gray sagewort. It is native to North America where it is widespread coast to coast, but many subspecies are found only in the western United States. This is a rhizomatous perennial herb growing to heights between 30 centimeters and one meter. 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 flower cluster of many nodding 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. This plant was used by many Native American groups for a variety of medicinal, veterinary, and ceremonial purposes.

Plant type

Perennial herb

Size

1 - 3 ft Tall

Form

Upright

Growth rate

Fast

Calscape icon
Color

White, Cream, Yellow

Flowering season

Summer, Spring, Fall

Special uses

Deer resistant, Groundcover, Lawn alternative

Sun

Full Sun

Water

Low, Moderate

Ease of care

Moderate

Soil drainage

Fast

Soil description

Performs best and lives longest in well drained soil.

Site type

Dry, sandy and rocky places

Plant communities

Creosote Bush Scrub, Pinyon-Juniper Woodland, Red Fir Forest, Sagebrush Scrub, Yellow Pine Forest

Bats
Birds
Caterpillars
Butterflies

Butterflies and moths supported

2 confirmed and 29 likely

Confirmed Likely

Painted Lady

Vanessa cardui

American Lady

Vanessa virginiensis

Animomyia smithii

Painted Tiger Moth

Arachnis picta