Artemisia serrata (Saw-tooth Wormwood)

Plant Info
Also known as: Leafy Mugwort, Toothed Sagewort, Saw-leaf Mugwort
Genus:Artemisia
Family:Asteraceae (Aster)
Life cycle:perennial
Origin:native
Habitat:part shade, sun; prairies, woodland edges
Bloom season:August - October
Plant height:3 to 6 feet
Wetland Indicator Status:none
MN county distribution (click map to enlarge):Minnesota county distribution map
National distribution (click map to enlarge):National distribution map

Pick an image for a larger view. See the glossary for icon descriptions.

Detailed Information

Flower: Flower shape: indistinct Cluster type: panicle

[photo of flowers] Flowers are numerous on short, ascending branches forming a narrow but open cluster on the upper half of the plant. The flower heads are small and indistinct, 1/8 inch across, egg shaped, petal-less, greenish or tinged red, erect to drooping, on short stalks or stalkless. Open flowers have 3 to 5 pale yellow, thread-like pistils emerging from the center. Outer bracts, stalks and upper stems are densely covered in matted hairs, giving a gray-green appearance.

Leaves and stems: Leaf attachment: alternate Leaf type: simple

[photo of leaves] Leaves are simple and alternate, lance-like, 2 to 6 inches long and ¼ to 1 inch wide, stalkless except for the lowest leaves. Lower leaves have sharply toothed edges, the upper leaves becoming smaller and toothless. Upper leaf surface is green (usually dark) and smooth, lower surface is white from short, densely matted hairs. Stems are single or multiple from the ground, mostly hairless and unbranched in the lower plant, becoming hairy and much branched in the flower cluster.

Notes:

Of Minnesota's five native Artemisia species, A. serrata does not inhabit the dry western prairie habitats common to the other four and in fact is found mostly in the eastern half of the state, south of Duluth. Its preference for moist soils and a higher shade tolerance makes it better adapted to wood margins, especially along lake shores, shrubby wetlands and riparian areas. While some references say A. serrata can grow to heights of 9 feet, I've never personally seen a specimen taller than about 5. A similar species is White Sage (Artemisia ludoviciana), which has toothless leaves, all leaf and stem surfaces densely covered in matted hairs, and typically silvery-green, while Saw-tooth Wormwood leaves have serrated edges, are green (typically dark) and hairless on the upper leaf surface, and stems mostly hairless below the flower cluster.

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More photos

Photos by K. Chayka taken in Ramsey County. Photos by Peter M. Dziuk taken in Anoka and Ramsey counties.

Comments

Have you seen this plant in Minnesota, or have any other comments about it?

Posted by: Teri - Frontenac
on: 2017-05-20 21:15:25

Growing in the beautiful state park in the prairie areas

Posted by: Kenny h - Shooting Star Trail West of Rose Creek
on: 2017-07-30 15:54:57

Found this by trail bridge over the Rose Creek...heads in brilliant sunshine, with tall tree shadows in the background...super photo.

Posted by: Gary - Carlton County
on: 2020-08-18 09:33:19

By the Moose Horn River on the Munger Trail in Moose Lake. Small patch with cutleaf coneflower.

Posted by: Cal Harth - St. Croix State Park,Pine County
on: 2023-10-02 06:02:21

This plant is common near the Kettle and St Croix Rivers at boat landings.

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