Family
Asteraceae
Taxonomic update
The currently accepted name for this taxon is Artemisia campestris var. wormskioldii.
Plant description
Northern wormwood is a low-growing (to 30 cm), tap-rooted biennial or perennial. The basal leaves are 2.5 – 10 cm long, two-three times divided into mostly linear divisions, and are crowded into rosettes. Leaves and stems are covered with fine, silky hairs. The inflorescence is narrow, with relatively large flower heads. The outer flowers are pistillate and fertile; disk flowers are sterile, and the achenes and receptacle are glabrous.
Distinguishing characteristics
Usually reaching less than 30 cm in height, northern wormwood is shorter than the co-occurring A. campestris var. scouleriana, which generally reaches 30-100 cm. The leaves of northern wormwood are noticeably covered with silvery, silky hairs (when compared to the largely glabrous, green-ish tinged foliage of the latter variety), and the involucres are relatively large (3-4 mm vs. 2-3 for A. c. var. scouleriana). Additionally, northern wormwood blooms in April, while A. c. var. scouleriana blooms in early summer. Artemisia lindleyana and A. ludoviciana also occur along the banks of the Columbia, but these two species are shrubby, usually taller (30-190 cm) than northern wormwood, have entire or toothed leaves, and like A. c. var. scouleriana, begin blooming in early to mid-summer.
When to survey
Surveys for this species should be conducted when the plants are flowering, between mid-April and mid-June.
Habitat
This species is restricted to basalt, compacted cobble, and sand on the banks of the Columbia River. The surrounding countryside is arid, supporting shrub-steppe vegetation. In addition to the Artemisia species mentioned above, associated species include Coreopsis atkinsoniana, Cymopterus terebinthinus, Eriogonum compositum, Lupinus polyphyllus, Phacelia hastata and Salix exigua. Bromus tectorum and Centaurea diffusa also occur in some sites.
Range
The historic range extends from the mouth of the John Day River in Sherman County, westward to Bingen, with an additional population discovered in 1983 near Priest Rapids Dam in Washington.
Oregon counties
Sherman, Wasco
Federal status
Candidate
Threats
Habitat loss and altered hydrology due to construction of dams, competition from exotic weeds, development of riparian habitat.
Did you know?
Northern wormwood is related to several European subspecies and varieties of Artemisia campestris which have been used medicinally for centuries. Although Linnaeus recommended an "infusion in pleurisy," all taxa within this group are currently considered to be quite poisonous.
Current/Recent ODA projects
References
Carlson, M.L. 1998. Status report of Artemisia campestris L. ssp. borealis var. wormkiolodii [Bess.] Cronq. Department of Botany and Plant Pathology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon.
Gamon, J. 1989. Report on the status of Artemisia campestris L. var. wormskioldii (Bess.) Cronquist. Washington Natural Heritage Program, Olympia, Washington.
Hitchcock, C.L., A. Cronquist, M. Owenby, and J.W. Thompson 1959. Vascular plants of the Pacific Northwest, Part 5: Compositae. University of Washington Press, Seattle, WA.
Kaye, T.N. 1995. Monitoring plan for northern wormwood at Miller Island, Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. Oregon Department of Agriculture.
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