Scientific Family
Asteraceae
Synonyms
Artemisia glauca, Oligosporus dracunculus
Other common names
false tarragon
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Perennial
Height
1-1/2 to 3 feet
Riparian
Yes
This plant has a woody caudex (stem) with horizontal rhizomes and can be almost odorless. This is not the species used for culinary purposes.
Disc florets functionally staminate (not setting fruits), corollas subglobose (inflated but less than spherical).
Habitat
Open meadows, dry areas, moist drainages and roadsides.
Plant Community
Riparian
Pinyon Juniper Woodlands
Montane Conifer Forest
Interior Chaparral
Grasslands
Disturbed Areas
Desert Scrub
Low elevation
3500
High elevation
9000
Flower Characteristics
Long stalks of 10 to 30 flowerheads; each flowerhead has up to 40 florets.
Flower color
Yellow
Flower shape
Daisy or dandelion-like
Tubular
No
First bloom month
July
Last bloom month
November
Flower clusters
Elongated
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Basal leaves are pinnatifid and lobed while upper leaves are narrow and alternate. Stems are many, stiff, erect and brown.
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf color
Green
Leaf shape
Pinnatifid
Leaf margin
Lobed
Leaves clasp
No
Leaf hairs
None
Spines
No
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
Small with a smooth surface.
Fruit type
Achene
Fruit color
Light brown