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Artemisia ludoviciana - Nutt.

Common Name White Sage, Louisiana Sage, Prairie Sage, Western Mugwort
Family Asteraceae or Compositae
USDA hardiness 4-9
Known Hazards There is a report that the plant can cause allergies in some people[222].
Habitats Prairies, dry open soils and thin woodland[43].
Range Western N. America - Michigan to Washington, south to Texas and Mexico.
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (2 of 5)
Weed Potential Yes
Medicinal Rating    (2 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Artemisia ludoviciana White Sage, Louisiana Sage, Prairie Sage, Western Mugwort


USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database / Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. An illustrated flora of the northern United States, Canada and the British Possessions. Vol. 3: 529.
Artemisia ludoviciana White Sage, Louisiana Sage, Prairie Sage, Western Mugwort
http://www.fws.gov/humboldtbay/plantguide/genus-a.html

 

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Summary

Common names include: White Sage, Louisiana Sage, Prairie Sage, Western Mugwort, Louisiana wormwood, cudweed sagewort, gray sagewort, mugwort wormwood, white sagebrush. Bloom Color: Brown, Yellow. Main Bloom Time: Early fall, Late summer, Mid summer, Mid fall. Form: Upright or erect.


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Artemisia ludoviciana is a PERENNIAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in) by 1 m (3ft 3in) at a medium rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5. It is in flower from August to October, and the seeds ripen from September to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Wind.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Habitats

 Ground Cover; Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Seed
Edible Uses: Condiment  Tea

Leaves and flowering heads are used as a flavouring or garnish for sauces, gravies etc[183]. A herb tea is made from the leaves and flowering heads[183]. Seed[105, 161, 177, 183]. No further details are given but the seed is very small and fiddly to use.

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Astringent  Deodorant  Eczema  Poultice  Skin

The leaves are astringent[222]. They were commonly used by the N. American Indians to induce sweating, curb pain and diarrhoea[222]. A weak tea was used in the treatment of stomach ache and menstrual disorders[222]. Externally, a wash of the leaves was applied to itching, rashes, swellings, boils, sores, etc[222]. The wash was also applied to eczema and as an underarm deodorant[257]. A poultice of the leaves can be applied to spider bites, blisters and burst boils[257]. A snuff of the crushed leaves has been used to treat headaches, the sinuses and nosebleeds[257].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Deodorant  Repellent

The plant makes a useful ground cover plant once it is established[190]. The leaves can be placed in the shoes as a foot deodorant[257]. An infusion of the leaves has been used as an underarm deodorant[257]. The soft leaves can be used as a toilet paper[257]. The plant can be burnt to repel mosquitoes[257].

Special Uses

Carbon Farming  Ground cover

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Experimental Crop  Industrial Crop: Hydrocarbon  Management: Coppice

Landscape Uses:Border, Container, Ground cover, Massing, Seashore. Easily grown in a well-drained circumneutral or slightly alkaline loamy soil, preferring a sunny position[1, 200]. Does well in a sandy soil[188]. Established plants are very drought tolerant[190]. Plants are longer lived, more hardy and more aromatic when they are grown in a poor dry soil[245]. A very polymorphic species[43]. Slugs love the young shoots of this plant and have been known to destroy even well-established plants[K]. A very ornamental plant, spreading by stolons to form loose patches[187], it can be invasive[190]. There are many named forms selected for their ornamental value[200]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[233]. Special Features: Attractive foliage, Fragrant foliage, Invasive, Suitable for dried flowers.

Carbon Farming

  • Experimental Crop  Plant breeders are testing these plants to see if they could be domesticated for cultivation, but they are still in an experimental phase. Examples include milkweed and leafy spurge.
  • Industrial Crop: Hydrocarbon  Materials, chemicals and energy include bioplastics, rubber, biomass products gasoline, jet fuel, diesel, butane, propane, biogas. Plants are usually resprouting plants and saps.
  • Management: Coppice  Cut to the ground repeatedly - resprouting vigorously. Non-destructive management systems maintaining the soil organic carbon.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

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Propagation

Seed - surface sow from late winter to early summer in a greenhouse, making sure that the compost does not dry out[200]. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant out in late spring or early summer. Division in spring or autumn[200]. Basal cuttings in late spring. Harvest the young shoots when about10 - 15cm long, pot up in a lightly shaded position in a greenhouse or cold frame and plant them out when well rooted. Very easy.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

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Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

This plant can be weedy or invasive. Some evidence of weed problems in Nebraska, USA.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status : This taxon has not yet been assessed. Threatened and Endangered Information: Michigan, US (western mugwort) Threatened.

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Artemisia abrotanumSouthernwoodShrub1.2 4-8  LMHSNDM133
Artemisia absinthiumWormwood, Absinthium.Perennial1.0 4-9 MLMSNDM132
Artemisia annuaQing Hao, Sweet sagewortAnnual3.0 6-9 FLMSNDM142
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Artemisia biennisBiennial WormwoodAnnual/Biennial1.0 0-0  LMSNDM111
Artemisia campestrisField SouthernwoodPerennial1.5 4-8  LMSNDM021
Artemisia campestris glutinosa Perennial1.5 -  LMSNDM001
Artemisia capillarisYin Chen HaoShrub0.5 6-9  LMSNDM13 
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Artemisia cinaCina, SantonicaShrub1.0 0-0  LMSDM03 
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Artemisia dracunculusTarragon, French TarragonPerennial0.6 5-9 MLMSNDM423
Artemisia filifoliaSand Sage, Sand sagebrushShrub1.2 3-7  LMSNDM021
Artemisia frigidaFringed Wormwood, Prairie sagewortPerennial0.3 3-10  LMNDM223
Artemisia glacialisGlacier WormwoodPerennial0.2 4-8  LMHNDM12 
Artemisia gmeliniiRussian Wormwood, Gmelin's wormwoodPerennial1.5 3-7  LMHNDM112
Artemisia indica Annual/Perennial1.2 6-9  LMSNDM132
Artemisia japonica Perennial1.0 7-10  LMHSNDM121
Artemisia keiskeana Perennial0.6 -  LMHSNDM212
Artemisia laciniataSiberian wormwoodPerennial0.0 0-0  LMHSNDM10 
Artemisia lactifloraWhite MugwortPerennial1.5 4-8 SLMHSNM02 
Artemisia lancea Perennial1.2 -  LMHSNDM11 
Artemisia ludoviciana gnaphalodesWhite SagePerennial1.0 4-8  LMSNDM021
Artemisia maritimaSea WormwoodShrub0.6 6-9  LMNDM121
Artemisia mexicanaMexican White SagebrushPerennial1.0 -  LMNDM01 
Artemisia michauxianaMountain Sagewort, Michaux's wormwoodPerennial0.5 3-7  LMSNDM11 
Artemisia monophylla Perennial1.0 -  LMHSNDM10 
Artemisia montana Perennial1.8 -  LMHSNDM10 
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Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Expert comment

Author

Nutt.

Botanical References

43200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

kamal meroueh   Sat Oct 27 2007

where can I buy some artemesia ludoviciana

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