Fauna
Plant

Common Mugwort

Artemisia vulgaris

Also known as Felon Herb, Wild Wormwood, Sailor's Tobacco, St. John's Plant

Common mugwort rises on stiff, reddish-purple stems clothed in deeply cut leaves with dark green upper surfaces and cottony, silver-white undersides. Crushing the foliage releases a pungent, herbal aroma driven by essential oils that deter many insect pests. Small, understated flower heads bloom in late summer, releasing vast quantities of wind-borne pollen into sunny fields and disturbed soils.

AromaticPerennialWind-Pollinated
Common Mugwort reference1 / 7
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Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyAutotrophic (photosynthesis)
Predators
  • Mugwort Plume Moth
  • Absinthe Wormwood Beetle
  • Grasshoppers
ThreatsHerbicide spraying, aggressive mowing, agricultural clearing
HabitatsDisturbed soils, roadsides, waste places, pastures, riverbanks
Life spanPerennial (5–10+ years)
Classification
  1. OrderAsterales
  2. FamilyAsteraceae
  3. GenusArtemisia
  4. SpeciesArtemisia vulgaris
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Pollen is a major late-summer allergen; sensitive individuals should avoid dense flowering stands.
Why it is dangerous
Produces abundant airborne pollen in late summer that triggers allergic rhinitis and asthma in sensitized individuals.
How to recognize a risky encounter
Recognize the tall reddish stems, deeply lobed leaves with silvery fleece beneath, and tiny yellow-brown flowers.
What to do
Observe from a distance during peak late-summer blooming to prevent inhalation of wind-borne pollen.
Responsible observation
  • Leaf Scents: Gently rub a leaf to detect the characteristic camphoraceous aroma unique to mugwort species.
  • Underside Check: Flip the foliage over to confirm the dense, white woolly hairs lining the lower leaf surface.
Related species
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