We depend on donations from users of our database of over 8000 edible and useful plants to keep making it available free of charge and to further extend and improve it. In recent months donations are down, and we are spending more than we receive. Please give what you can to keep PFAF properly funded. More >>>

Follow Us:

 

Artemisia frigida - Willd.

Common Name Fringed Wormwood, Prairie sagewort
Family Asteraceae or Compositae
USDA hardiness 3-10
Known Hazards Although no reports of toxicity have been seen for this species, skin contact with some members of this genus can cause dermatitis or other allergic reactions in some people[222].
Habitats Dry prairies, plains and rocks to 3300 metres in N. America[43, 164].
Range N. America - Minnesota to Saskatchewan, Yukon, Texas and Arizona. N. Asia.
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (3 of 5)
Weed Potential Yes
Medicinal Rating    (2 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Full sun
Artemisia frigida Fringed Wormwood, Prairie sagewort


Al Schneider @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database
Artemisia frigida Fringed Wormwood, Prairie sagewort
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: 525.

 

Translate this page:

Summary

Common names include: Fringed Wormwood, Prairie sagewort, fringed sagewort, fringed sagebrush, arctic sage and pasture sage.


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Artemisia frigida is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.3 m (1ft) by 0.5 m (1ft 8in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 4. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Wind.
It is noted for attracting wildlife.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Habitats

 Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts:
Edible Uses: Condiment

The leaves are used by the Hopi Indians as a flavouring for sweet corn[61, 172, 177, 183, 257].

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.
Antispasmodic  Deodorant  Disinfectant  Poultice  Stimulant  Stomachic  Vermifuge  Women's complaints


The leaves are stomachic, vermifuge and used in the treatment of women's complaints[172]. The plant contains camphor, which is stimulant and antispasmodic[213]. An infusion of the leaves is used in the treatment of biliousness, indigestion, coughs and colds whilst the leaves are chewed and the juice swallowed to treat heartburn[257]. A poultice of the chewed leaves is used as a poultice to reduce swellings and the leaves are also placed in the nose to stop nosebleeds[257]. A hot poultice of the leaves has been used to treat toothache[257]. The leaves can be used as a sanitary towel to help reduce skin irritation[257]. They are also drunk as a tea when the woman is menstruating or to treat irregular menstruation[257]. The dried leaves are burnt in a room as a disinfectant[257]. A decoction of the root is used as a stimulant and tonic[257].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

Now available: PLANTS FOR YOUR FOOD FOREST: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens.

An important new book from PFAF. It focuses on the attributes of plants suitable for food forests, what each can contribute to a food forest ecosystem, including carbon sequestration, and the kinds of foods they yield. The book suggests that community and small-scale food forests can provide a real alternative to intensive industrialised agriculture, and help to combat the many inter-related environmental crises that threaten the very future of life on Earth.

Read More

FOOD FOREST PLANTS

Other Uses

Deodorant  Disinfectant  Dye  Essential  Repellent

Both the growing and the dried plant can be used as an insect repellent[172]. The leaves can be placed on a camp fire to repel mosquitoes[257]. The aromatic leaves have been used in pillows etc as a deodorant[257]. Bunches of the soft leaves have been used as towels, toilet paper etc[257]. A green dye is obtained from the leaves[257]. Cultivated for its foliage effects, and has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. Used in landscaping and for erosion control and revegetation of rangeland. It is drought-resistant. Provides shelter for beneficial invertebrates: insects and other arthropods. A specialist nectary plant [1-2]. Groundcover [1-2].

Special Uses

Attracts Wildlife  Food Forest  Ground Cover

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Requires a sunny position and a well-drained soil that is not too rich[1, 200]. Requires a lime-free soil. Established plants are very drought tolerant[200]. Plants are longer lived, more hardy and more aromatic when they are grown in a poor dry soil[245]. A very ornamental plant[1]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[233]. For polyculture design as well as the above-ground architecture (form - tree, shrub etc. and size shown above) information on the habit and root pattern is also useful and given here if available. The plant growth habit is a clumper with limited spread [1-2]. The root pattern is fibrous dividing into a large number of fine roots [1-2].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Fahrenheit:

image

The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees, and Woodland Gardening. Our new book to be released soon is Edible Shrubs.

Shop Now

Propagation

Seed - surface sow from late winter to early summer in a greenhouse in a very free-draining soil, but make sure that the compost does not dry out. The seed usually germinates within 1 - 2 weeks in a warm greenhouse. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out in late spring or early summer. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame. Division in spring or autumn[200].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Fringed wormwood, prairie sagewort, Silky wormwood. Fringed Wormwood, fringed sagewort, fringed sagebrush, arctic sage and pasture sage.

Native Plant Search

Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search

Found In

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

America, Asia, Canada, China, Europe, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, North America, Russia, Siberia, Tajikistan, Tibet, USA[1-4]. Native Range: Asia, eastern Europe, North America. The USDA database lists Artemisia frigida (prairie sagewort ) as being native to some of the L48 (Lower 48 States), Canada, and to Alaska.

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. Reported weedy in Nebraska and Wyoming, USA

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status : This taxon has not yet been assessed.

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
Artemisia anomala Perennial1.0 -  LMHSNM02 
Artemisia argyi Perennial1.5 -  LMSNDM02 
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 
Artemisia caruifolia Annual1.0 -  LMSNDM131
Artemisia cinaCina, SantonicaShrub1.0 0-0  LMSDM03 
Artemisia dracunculoidesRussian Tarragon, Tarragon, French TarragonPerennial1.0 5-8 MLMSNDM211
Artemisia dracunculusTarragon, French TarragonPerennial0.6 5-9 MLMSNDM423
Artemisia filifoliaSand Sage, Sand sagebrushShrub1.2 3-7  LMSNDM021
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 ludovicianaWhite Sage, Louisiana Sage, Prairie Sage, Western MugwortPerennial1.0 4-9 MLMSNDM222
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 
12

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.

 

Print Friendly and PDF

Expert comment

Author

Willd.

Botanical References

50200

Links / References

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

Readers comment

Add a comment

If you have important information about this plant that may help other users please add a comment or link below. Only comments or links that are felt to be directly relevant to a plant will be included. If you think a comment/link or information contained on this page is inaccurate or misleading we would welcome your feedback at [email protected]. If you have questions about a plant please use the Forum on this website as we do not have the resources to answer questions ourselves.

* Please note: the comments by website users are not necessarily those held by PFAF and may give misleading or inaccurate information.

To leave a comment please Register or login here All comments need to be approved so will not appear immediately.

Subject : Artemisia frigida  
© 2010, Plants For A Future. Plants For A Future is a charitable company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales. Charity No. 1057719, Company No. 3204567.