Also known as Prairie Sage, Western Mugwort, White Sagebrush, Louisiana Wormwood
Silver wormwood spreads through extensive rhizome networks, forming dense silvery-grey colonies across prairies, dry slopes, and open woodlands. Its foliage is blanketed in dense, woolly white hairs that reflect intense sunlight and conserve moisture during drought. When bruised or brushed against, the leaves release a sharp, herbal aroma driven by potent essential oils that deter mammalian herbivores.
ThreatsHabitat loss from agricultural conversion and invasive exotic grasses
HabitatsPrairies, grasslands, dry open woods, rocky slopes, and roadsides
Life spanPerennial (typically 5–15 years per rootstock)
Classification
OrderAsterales
FamilyAsteraceae
GenusArtemisia
SpeciesArtemisia ludoviciana
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskHigh
Low
Moderate
High
Very high
Why interaction risk is high
Aromatic foliage contains thujone; toxic to dogs, cats, and livestock if ingested in quantity.
Why it is dangerous
Contains volatile terpenes and thujone, which can trigger vomiting, lethargy, or neurological symptoms in dogs, cats, and livestock if consumed in large quantities.
How to recognize a risky encounter
Recognized by its soft white-felted leaves, pungent camphor scent when crushed, and dense unbranched colonies.
What to do
Keep domestic pets from grazing on the foliage; handling the plant directly poses no danger to humans.
Responsible observation
Aroma Check: Gently brush a stem with your fingertips to release its signature herbal scent.
Root Spread: Look for clustered stems connected by underground runners along dry embankments.
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