Fauna
Plant · GBIF taxon 3120814

Schmidt Wormwood

Artemisia schmidtiana

Also known as Silver Mound, Silver Mound Wormwood, Angel's Hair

Schmidt Wormwood forms dense, silky cushions of finely dissected, silver-grey foliage that creates a striking visual contrast in sunny landscapes. Native to subalpine gravelly slopes and rocky areas of Japan, this compact perennial produces small, inconspicuous yellow flower heads in late summer. Its feathery leaves emit a distinct aromatic scent when bruised, containing bitter chemical compounds that deter deer, rabbits, and most insect pests.

AromaticSilver FoliagePerennial
Schmidt Wormwood reference1 / 2
Licensed reference(c) Saryu Mae 前 朝琉, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
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Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & prey
  • Autotrophic (Photosynthetic)
Predators
  • Slugs
  • Snails
  • Root-knot nematodes
ThreatsExcess humidity, wet winter soil, root rot, center splitting
HabitatsSubalpine rocky slopes, gravel beds, rock gardens, cultivated borders
Life span5–10 years
Classification
  1. OrderAsterales
  2. FamilyAsteraceae
  3. GenusArtemisia
  4. SpeciesArtemisia schmidtiana
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskHigh
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is high
Foliage contains essential oils toxic to dogs and cats if ingested; keep away from curious pets.
Why it is dangerous
Contains volatile essential oils including thujone that cause gastrointestinal distress and depression in pets if consumed in volume.
How to recognize a risky encounter
Recognizable by its soft, silky, silvery white foliage forming a tight hemispherical mound.
What to do
Position plantings in raised beds or patio containers out of reach of grazing pets.
Responsible observation
  • Plant in full sun: Sunlight maximizes foliage silvering and maintains the tight cushion shape.
  • Ensure sharp drainage: Avoid heavy clay soils that retain moisture and lead to root rot.
  • Prune midsummer: Shear foliage back slightly if the center of the mound opens up.
Related species
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