| Artemisia ludoviciana | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Asterales |
| Family: | Asteraceae |
| Genus: | Artemisia |
| Species: | A. ludoviciana
|
| Binomial name | |
| Artemisia ludoviciana | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
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Synonymy
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Artemisia ludoviciana is a North American species of flowering plant in the daisy family Asteraceae, known by several common names, including silver wormwood, western mugwort, Louisiana wormwood, white sagebrush, lobed cud-weed, prairie sage, and gray sagewort.[2][3][4][5]
Ludoviciana is the Latinized version of the word Louisiana.[6]
Artemisia ludoviciana is a rhizomatous perennial growing to heights of 0.3–1.0 m (0.98–3.28 ft). The stems bear linear leaves up to 11 cm long. The stems and foliage are covered in woolly gray or white hairs. The top of the stem is occupied by a narrow inflorescence of many nodding (hanging) flower heads. Each small head is a cup of hairy phyllaries surrounding a center of yellowish disc florets and is about 0.5 cm wide. The fruit is a minute achene. Flowers bloom July to October.[7]
The plant is native to North America where it is widespread across most of the United States, Canada, and Mexico.[2][3][8][9] Some botanists suggest that eastern United States populations have been introduced from the western and central part of the continent.[10] Its habitats include dry slopes, canyons, open pine woods, and dry prairies.[7]
Indigenous tribes across the continent use the species as a medicinal plant, a source of fiber for crafting household items, and for ceremonial purposes.[12] The Dakota people use this plant in smudging rituals to protect against maleficent spirits. The Apache, Chiricahua and Mescalero use it for spices,[13] while Blackfoot tribe use it as a drug for dermatological use.[14] The Cree and Blackfoot tribes use it in sweat lodges and the sun dance.[5] Gros Ventre also use it for skin curing and as medicine against cold, because it is also antipyretic.[15] The Meskwaki and Potawatomi use a tea made from this species as a treatment for sore throat and tonsillitis.[4]
A. ludoviciana is cultivated as an ornamental plant.[16] Being rhizomatous, it can spread aggressively in some climates and gardens. It grows in dry to medium moisture and well-drained soil. It requires full sun.[6]
Popular cultivars include 'Valerie Finnis' and 'Silver Queen'. Both are hardy to USDA zone 4. 'Valerie Finnis' has held the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit since 1993.[17]
