Description

Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris) is a perennial weed with very distinctive alternate and dissected leaves. The upper leaf surface is bright green and smooth, while the lower leaf surface is light green in color and very hairy. The leaves resemble common chrysanthemums, and also emit an odor when crushed. Mugwort is commonly found in waste areas, flower beds and lawns. Its strong and persistent rhizomes mean that cultural and chemical control can be difficult.

Cultural Control

Perennial broadleaf turf weeds are capable of living more than two years. They thrive in weak, thin turf; golf fairways and roughs; home lawns; playfields; and industrial grounds. Proper turf maintenance is the key to control of this weed. First, select adapted turfgrass cultivars for your area and then properly fertilize, mow, and water to encourage dense growth.

Species Data

• GROWTH SEASON / LIFE CYCLE
  • perennial weed
• GROWTH HABIT
  • prostrate, spreading; stems round in cross section and hairy
    Figure 1, Figure 2, Figure 3
• LEAFLET NUMBER
  • one
• LEAF MARGIN
  • deeply lobed, upper leaf surface dark green, underside of leaf white to gray
• LEAF HAIRS
  • dense hairs on upper surface, smooth to slightly hairy bottom surface
• LEAF / LEAFLET SHAPE
  • elliptical
    ​Figure 4, Figure 5
• LEAF WIDTH
  • 1 inch to greater than 2 inches
• LEAF VENATION
  • pinnate
• LEAF ARRANGEMENT
  • alternate
    Figure 6
• ROOT TYPE
  • fibrous
    Figure 7, Figure 8
• FLOWER COLOR
  • inconspicuous