SafePlants

Artemisia caucasica: Caucasian Wormwood, Silver Spreader

Artemisia caucasica, commonly known as Caucasian wormwood or Silver Spreader, is a captivating plant admired for its silvery foliage and mat-forming growth habit.

Considerations for Pets

• The text mentions the presence of sesquiterpene lactones in the plant.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Artemisia caucasica Willd.
• Common Names: Caucasian wormwood, Silver Spreader
• Family: Asteraceae (also known as Compositae or Aster family)
• Group: Dicot
• Synonyms: Artemisia alpina Pall. ex Willd., Artemisia caucasica var. caucasica, Artemisia pedemontana Balb., Artemisia assoana Willk.

Distribution and Habitat

• Artemisia caucasica is native to northern temperate regions, specifically southeastern Europe, European Russia, the Caucasus region, and Turkey.
• It thrives in dry, windswept mountain environments.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

• Artemisia caucasica is a perennial or subshrub, sometimes described as an annual or biennial.
• It exhibits a carpeting or mat-forming growth habit, forming glistening mats of foliage.
• It is often described as a low-growing or prostrate plant.
• It typically reaches a height of 10-15cm (4-6 inches).
• The foliage is noted for its bright silvery, filigree-like appearance.
• It produces yellow flowers on short stems, though they are often considered inconspicuous.

Quirky Facts

• This plant has been grown from seeds collected in the mountains of Turkey.
• The plant's aromatic scent is released when the leaves are crushed.

Interactions with Other Organisms

• Artemisia caucasica is a host plant for Bactericera artemisicola and Bactericera artemisisuga (Triozidae).

Chemical Composition

• Two sesquiterpene lactones have been isolated from the epigeal (above-ground) green parts of Artemisia caucasica.

Resources and Further Information

• RHS (Royal Horticultural Society)
• Dave's Garden
• ICRA (International Cultivar Registration Authority) for Artemisia caucasica cultivars
• Encyclopedia of Life
• Wikimedia Commons
• ResearchGate
• PlantSystematics.org