Artemisia vulgaris L., Asteraceae

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Present on Pacific Islands?  yes

Primarily a threat at high elevations?  no

Common name(s): [more details]

Chamorro: yerba de Santa Maria

Chinese: bei ai

English: common wormwood, felonherb, green ginger, hiya, motherwort, mugweed, mugwort, sailor's tobacco

French: armoise, armoise commune, armoise vulgare, brède chinois, herbe de Saint Jean, marie therese

Japanese: yomogi

Satawalese: iarbwas

Spanish: artemisia, artimisa, hierba de San Juan

Habit:  herb

Description:  "Aromatic, rhizomatous perennial herbs 3-10 dm tall; stems 1 to several, unbranched to the inflorescence, nearly glabrous below the inflorescence but sparsely pubescent between narrow striations.  Leaves ovate to obovate in outline, 2.5-5 (-6) cm long, 2-3 cm wide, pinnatifid to bipinnatifid with unequal lobes that are rather broad and acute, upper surface dark green and nearly glabrous, lower surface densely white tomentose, narrowed at base, without a distinct petiole.  Heads in racemose panicles, amply leafy, with erect branches, each head 2.5-3.8 mm high, 2-2.5 mm wide; involucral bracts ovate, densely pubescent, the margins narrowly scarious; receptacle conical, glabrous; florets 8-12 per head, the outer ones pistillate and inner ones perfect, all fertile, tubular, 1-1.3 mm long.  Achenes dark brown to black, fusiform, 0.8-1 mm long, 0.1-0.3 mm wide, glabrous."  (Wagner et al., 1999; p. 265).

Habitat/ecology:  In Hawai‘i, "cultivated...and occasionally sparingly naturalized in disturbed areas"  (Wagner et al., 1999; p. 265).  In Fiji, "an infrequent roadside weed" (Smith, 1991; p. 312). On Christmas Island (Indian Ocean), naturalized on cliffs, roadsides and disturbed areas (Swarbrick, 1997; p. 104).  "It is in the disturbed soils of arable agriculture in humid and superhumid localities of Mauritius Island" (Holm et al., 1997; pp. 72-73).

Propagation:  Wind-borne seed (Swarbrick, 1997; p. 104) and underground rhizomes (Staples & Herbst, 2005; p. 154).

Native range:  Europe, northern Africa, western and central Asia; widely naturalized (GRIN).

Presence:

Pacific
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (US) Northern Mariana Islands	Agrigan (Agrihan) Island	native	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 282) var. indica
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (US) Northern Mariana Islands	Agrigan (Agrihan) Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Fosberg, F. R./Falanruw, M. V. C./Sachet, M.-H. (1975) (p. 42) Voucher cited: Falanruw 2157 (US)
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (US) Northern Mariana Islands	Anatahan Island	native	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 282) var. indica
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (US) Northern Mariana Islands	Anatahan Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Fosberg, F. R./Falanruw, M. V. C./Sachet, M.-H. (1975) (p. 42) Voucher cited: Falanruw 1638 (US)
Federated States of Micronesia Yap Islands	Satawal Island	native	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 282) var. indica
Federated States of Micronesia Yap Islands	Satawal Island	introduced invasive	Fosberg, F. R. (1969) (p. 12) Voucher cited: Fosberg 46861 (US) One small patch.
Federated States of Micronesia Yap Islands	Ulithi Atoll	native	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 282) var. indica
Federated States of Micronesia Yap Islands	Woleai Atoll	native	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 282) var. indica
Fiji Fiji Islands	Viti Levu Island	introduced invasive	Smith, Albert C. (1991) (p. 312) Voucher cited: DA 17341
Guam Guam Island	Guam Island	introduced cultivated	Stone, Benjamin C. (1970) (pp. 574-575) Voucher cited: McGregor 423
Guam Guam Island	Guam Island	native	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 282) var. indica
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Hawai‘i (Big) Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Wagner, Warren L./Herbst, Derral R./Sohmer, S. H. (1999) (p. 265) Voucher cited: Kelly s.n. (BISH)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Kaua‘i Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Wagner, Warren L./Herbst, Derral R./Sohmer, S. H. (1999) (p. 265)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Lāna‘i Island	introduced invasive	Oppenheimer, Hank (2008) (p. 24) Voucher cited: Oppenheimer & Perlman H90701 (BISH, PTBG)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Maui Island	introduced invasive	Wagner, Warren L./Herbst, Derral R. (1995) (p. 15) East Maui. Voucher cited: Hobdy 2567 (BISH)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Maui Island	introduced invasive	Oppenheimer, Hank L. (2004) (p. 9) West Maui. Voucher cited: Oppenheimer, F. Duvall, & L. Nelson H30218 (BISH)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	O‘ahu Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Wagner, Warren L./Herbst, Derral R./Sohmer, S. H. (1999) (p. 265)
New Caledonia New Caledonia Archipelago	Île Grande Terre	introduced invasive	MacKee, H. S. (1994) (p. 31) Voucher cited: MacKee 41843 Spontané
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Babeldaob Island		Beleu National Museum (Republic of Palau. Koror.) (1982) (voucher ID: BNM 3175) Taxon name on voucher: Artemisia vulgaris
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Palau Islands (main island group)	native	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 282) var. indica
Philippines Philippine Islands	Philippine Islands		Holm, Leroy/Doll, Jerry/Holm, Eric/Pancho, Jaun/Herberger, James (1997) (p. 70)
Philippines Philippine Islands	Philippine Islands	introduced invasive cultivated	Merrill, Elmer D. (1923) (p. 616) In and about towns at low and medium altitudes; often planted, frequently established, and certainly introduced.

Pacific Rim
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
Australia Australia (continental)	New South Wales		Holm, Leroy/Doll, Jerry/Holm, Eric/Pancho, Jaun/Herberger, James (1997) (p. 70)
Australia Australia (continental)	Queensland		Holm, Leroy/Doll, Jerry/Holm, Eric/Pancho, Jaun/Herberger, James (1997) (p. 70)
China China	China (People's Republic of)	introduced invasive	Zhengyi, Wu/Raven, Peter H./Deyuan, Hong (2013) Roadsides, slopes, canyons, forest margins, forest steppes, subalpine steppes; 1500-3800 m. W. Gansu, Qinghai, Shaanxi, W. Sichuan, Xinjiang, E. Xizang.
Indonesia Indonesia	Indonesia (Republic of)		Holm, Leroy/Doll, Jerry/Holm, Eric/Pancho, Jaun/Herberger, James (1997) (p. 70)
Japan Japan	Japan		Holm, Leroy/Doll, Jerry/Holm, Eric/Pancho, Jaun/Herberger, James (1997) (p. 70)
South Korea South Korea	South Korea (Republic of)		Holm, Leroy/Doll, Jerry/Holm, Eric/Pancho, Jaun/Herberger, James (1997) (pp. 70, 77)
Malaysia Malaysia	Malaysia (country of)		Holm, Leroy/Doll, Jerry/Holm, Eric/Pancho, Jaun/Herberger, James (1997) (p. 70)
Mexico Mexico	Mexico (United Mexican States)		Holm, Leroy/Doll, Jerry/Holm, Eric/Pancho, Jaun/Herberger, James (1997) (p. 70)
Singapore Singapore	Singapore (Republic of)	introduced cultivated	Chong, Kwek Yan/Tan, Hugh T. W./Corlett, Richard T. (2009) (p. 16) Cultivated only
Taiwan Taiwan Island	Taiwan Island		Holm, Leroy/Doll, Jerry/Holm, Eric/Pancho, Jaun/Herberger, James (1997) (p. 70)
Thailand Thailand	Thailand (Kingdom of)		Holm, Leroy/Doll, Jerry/Holm, Eric/Pancho, Jaun/Herberger, James (1997) (p. 70)
United States (west coast) United States (west coast states)	USA (Oregon)	introduced	U.S. Dept. Agr., Nat. Res. Cons. Serv. (2013)

Indian Ocean
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
Australia (Indian Ocean offshore islands) Christmas Island Group	Christmas Island	introduced invasive	Swarbrick, J. T. (1997) (p. 104)
La Réunion (France) La Réunion Island	La Réunion Island		Holm, Leroy/Doll, Jerry/Holm, Eric/Pancho, Jaun/Herberger, James (1997) (p. 79)
Maldives Maldive Islands	Malè Atoll		Fosberg, F. R. (1957) (p. 35)
Mauritius Mautitius Islands (Mauritius and Rodrigues)	Mauritius Island		Holm, Leroy/Doll, Jerry/Holm, Eric/Pancho, Jaun/Herberger, James (1997) (pp. 70, 72-73, 79)

Also reported from
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
United States (continental except west coast) United States (other states)	United States (other states)	introduced	U.S. Dept. Agr., Nat. Res. Cons. Serv. (2013)
United States (continental except west coast) United States (other states)	USA (Florida)	introduced	U.S. Dept. Agr., Nat. Res. Cons. Serv. (2013)

Control:  Identification and Control of Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris L.) in Virginia