Artemisia pycnocephala

Artemisia pycnocephala is a North American species of sagebrush in the sunflower family, known by the common names beach wormwood, sandhill sage, and coastal sagewort.[2]

Artemisia pycnocephala
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Asterales
Family: Asteraceae
Genus: Artemisia
Species:
A. pycnocephala
Binomial name
Artemisia pycnocephala
Synonyms[1]
  • Artemisia pachystachya DC.
  • Artemisia pycnostachya Torr. & A.Gray
  • Oligosporus pycnocephalus Less.

This plant is native to the western United States coastline extending from central Oregon to southern California.

Description

It is a leafy perennial wormwood forming clumps about 50 cm (20 inches) in height. It extends erect stems covered in dense foliage which ranges in color from light green to nearly white. The fuzzy inflorescences are studded with small lobular leaves and rounded yellowish flower buds. The plant is aromatic but much less so than are other wormwoods.[3]

Plant community and distribution

Artemisia pycnocephala is native to Oregon's and California's Coastal Strand plant community where it enjoys rocky and sandy soil. According to The University of California @ Berkeley and Jepson Herbaria, this plant prefers to grow under 200 m.[4][5] The plant's range within the State of California stretches primarily from Del Norte County to San Luis Obispo County, with isolated populations reported from Los Angeles and San Diego Counties.[2][6]

References
  1. The Plant List Artemisia pycnocephala (Less.) DC.
  2. Calflora taxon report, University of California, Artemisia pycnocephala (Less.) DC. Beach Sagewort, Beach sage, coastal sagewort
  3. Flora of North America, Coastal sagewort, Artemisia pycnocephala (Lessing) de Candolle in A. P. de Candolle and A. L. P. P. de Candolle, Prodr. 6: 99. 1838.
  4. The University of California and Jepson Herbaria, Treatment for Jepson's Manual
  5. California Native Plant Link Exchange
  6. Biota of North America Program 2014 county distribution map


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