Artemisia ludoviciana explained

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.[1] [2]

Ludoviciana is the Latinized version of the word Louisiana.[3]

Description

Artemisia ludoviciana is a rhizomatous perennial growing to heights of 0.3-. 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.

Distribution and habitat

The plant is native to North America where it is widespread across most of the United States, Canada, and Mexico.[1] [4] [5] [6] Some botanists suggest that eastern United States populations have been introduced from the western and central part of the continent.[7] Its habitats include dry slopes, canyons, open pine woods, and dry prairies.[8]

Subspecies

The following subspecies are recognised:[9]

Uses

Indigenous usage

Indigenous tribes across the continent use the species as a medicinal plant, a source of fiber for crafting household items, and for ceremonial purposes.[10] The Dakota people use this plant in smudging rituals to protect against maleficent spirits. The Apache, Chiricahua and Mescalero use it for spices,[11] while Blackfoot tribe use it as a drug for dermatological use.[12] The Cree and Blackfoot tribes use it in sweat lodges and the sun dance. Gros Ventre also use it for skin curing and as medicine against cold, because it is also antipyretic.[13] The Meskwaki and Potawatomi use a tea made from this species as a treatment for sore throat and tonsillitis.[14]

Cultivation

A. ludoviciana is cultivated as an ornamental plant.[15] 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.

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.[16]

External links

Notes and References

  1. https://npgsweb.ars-grin.gov/gringlobal/taxonomydetail.aspx?103970 National Plant Germplasm System−GRIN.gov: Artemisia ludoviciana
  2. Web site: Indigenous Teaching & Learning Gardens - Prairie Sage . 2023-02-15 . sites.google.com . en-US.
  3. Web site: Artemisia ludoviciana - Plant Finder. www.missouribotanicalgarden.org.
  4. http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=242416100 Flora of North America Vol. 19, 20 and 21 Page 527 Silver wormwood, white or silver sage Artemisia ludoviciana Nuttall, Gen. N. Amer. Pl. 2: 143. 1818.
  5. Berendsohn, W.G. & A.E. Araniva de González. 1989. Listado básico de la Flora Salvadorensis: Dicotyledonae, Sympetalae (pro parte): Labiatae, Bignoniaceae, Acanthaceae, Pedaliaceae, Martyniaceae, Gesneriaceae, Compositae. Cuscatlania 1(3): 290–1–290–13
  6. Turner, B. L. 1996. The Comps of Mexico: A systematic account of the family Asteraceae, vol. 6. Tageteae and Athemideae. Phytologia Memoirs 10: i–ii, 1–22, 43–93
  7. http://bonap.net/MapGallery/County/Artemisia%20ludoviciana.png Biota of North America Program: county distribution map
  8. Web site: Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - The University of Texas at Austin. 2022-02-18. www.wildflower.org.
  9. Web site: Artemisia ludoviciana Nutt. Plants of the World Online Kew Science . 2024-06-16 . Plants of the World Online . en.
  10. http://naeb.brit.org/uses/search/?string=Artemisia+ludoviciana University of Michigan @ Dearborn, Native American Ethnobotany of Artemisia ludoviciana
  11. Book: Castetter, Edward F. and M. E. Opler. 1936. Ethnobiological Studies in the American Southwest III. The Ethnobiology of the Chiricahua and Mescalero Apache. University of New Mexico Bulletin. 4. 5. 47.
  12. Book: Hellson, John C.. 1974. Ethnobotany of the Blackfoot Indians, Ottawa. registration. National Museums of Canada. Mercury Series. 17–124.
  13. Book: Hart, Jeff. 1992. Montana Native Plants and Early Peoples, Helena. Montana Historical Society Press. 44.
  14. Book: Smith, Huron H.. Ethnobotany of the Meskwaki Indians . 1978 . AMS Press . 68943064.
  15. http://www.laspilitas.com/nature-of-california/plants/1243--artemisia-ludoviciana Las Pilitas Horticulture Database: Artemisia ludoviciana (White Sagebrush)
  16. Web site: RHS Plant Selector - Artemisia ludoviciana 'Valerie Finnis'. 23 February 2020.

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