Artemisia pycnocephala is a North American species of sagebrush in the sunflower family, known by the common names beach wormwood, sandhill sage, and coastal sagewort.
This plant is native to the western United States coastline extending from central Oregon to southern California.
Description It is a leafy perennial wormwood forming clumps about 50 cm (20 inches) in height. It extends erect stems covered in dense foliage which ranges in color from light green to nearly white. The fuzzy inflorescences are studded with small lobular leaves and rounded yellowish flower buds. The plant is aromatic but much less so than are other wormwoods.Flora of North America, Coastal sagewort, Artemisia pycnocephala (Lessing) de Candolle in A. P. de Candolle and A. L. P. P. de Candolle, Prodr. 6: 99. 1838.
Plant community and distribution Artemisia pycnocephala is native to Oregon's and California's coastal strand plant community where it enjoys rocky and sandy soil. According to The University of California, Berkeley and Jepson Herbaria, this plant prefers to grow under 200 m.The University of California and Jepson Herbaria, Treatment for Jepson's ManualCalifornia Native Plant Link Exchange The plant's range within the State of California stretches primarily from Del Norte County to San Luis Obispo County, with isolated populations reported from Los Angeles and San Diego Counties.Calflora taxon report, University of California, Artemisia pycnocephala (Less.) DC. Beach Sagewort, Beach sage, coastal sagewortBiota of North America Program 2014 county distribution map
References
External links Calflora Database: Artemisia pycnocephala (Beach sagewort, Coastal sagewort) Jepson Manual eFlora (TJM2) treatment of Artemisia pycnocephala