Northern wormwood

Northern wormwood is a low-growing (to 30 cm), tap-rooted biennial or perennial. The basal leaves are 2.5–10 cm long, 2-3 times divided into mostly linear divisions, and crowded into rosettes. Leaves and stems are covered with fine, silky hairs. The inflorescence is narrow, with relatively large flower heads. The outer flowers are pistillate and fertile, disk flowers are sterile, and the achenes and receptacle are glabrous.

Overview

• Species Common Name Northern wormwood
• Species Scientific Name Artemisia campestris var. wormskioldii
• Federal Listing Status Species of Concern
• State Listing Status Endangered

Ecoregions

Columbia Plateau

The Columbia Plateau ecoregion was shaped by cataclysmic floods and large deposits of wind-borne silt and sand earlier in its geological history. It is dominated by a rolling landscape of arid lowlands dissected by several important rivers, and extends from the eastern slopes of the Cascades Mountains, south and east from the Columbia River to the Blue Mountains.

West Cascades

The West Cascades ecoregion extends from east of the Cascade Mountains summit to the foothills of the Willamette, Umpqua, and Rogue Valleys, and spans the entire length of the state of Oregon. It is largely dominated by conifer forests, moving into alpine parklands and dwarf shrubs at higher elevations.

Special needs

This species was historically known from the banks of the Columbia River. Northern wormwood is found in shrub-steppe vegetation, typically on basalt, compacted cobble, and sandy substrates.

Limiting factors

Habitat has been lost to highway construction, dams and subsequent flooding, and riparian development.

Data gaps

Conduct reproductive biology and pollinator studies. Conduct demographic studies.

Conservation actions

Survey likely habitat for new occurrences. Collect and bank seed as insurance against local extirpation or extinction and to use in ex-situ research. Conduct ex-situ seed/plug production for introduction and augmentation efforts.