Artemisia californica

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Artemisia californica
ArtemisiaCalifornica-GaviotaCA.jpg
Artemisia californica in Gaviota State Park, California
Status TNC G4.svg
Apparently Secure  (NatureServe) [1]
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Asterales
Family: Asteraceae
Genus: Artemisia
Species:
A. californica
Binomial name
Artemisia californica
Synonyms [2]
  • Artemisia abrotanoidesNutt.
  • Artemisia fischerianaBesser
  • Artemisia foliosaNutt.
  • Crossostephium californicum(Less.) Rydb.

Artemisia californica, also known as California sagebrush, is a species of western North American shrub in the sunflower family.

Contents

In the western United States, California sagebrush is grown in native plant gardens and as a drought-resistant landscaping choice. In addition to its drought resistance and capacity to draw pollinators like bees and butterflies, its lovely, silvery foliage is prized by gardeners and horticulturists.

Description

Artemisia californica branches from the base and grows out from there, becoming rounded; it grows 1.5 to 2.5 metres (5 to 8 feet) tall. The stems of the plant are slender, flexible, and glabrous (hairless) or canescent (fuzzy). The leaves range from 1 to 10 centimetres (1⁄2 to 4 inches) long and are pinnately divided with 2–4 threadlike lobes less than 5 cm long. Their leaves are hairy and light green to gray in color; the margins of the leaves curl under. [3]

The inflorescences are leafy, narrow, and sparse. The capitula are less than 5 millimetres (3⁄16 in) in diameter. The pistillate flowers range in number from 6 to 10 and the disk flowers range from 15 to 30; they are generally yellowish, but sometimes red.

Artemisia species are sunflower (Asteraceae) family members, however unlike many other members of the family, they often produce small, unnoticeable blooms.  Their attractive silvery leaf, which is often fragrant when crushed, is their strongest feature in the garden.  The often pleasing perfume of the stems and leaves is caused by essential oils, which also deters animal and insect pests.  They are an essential source of food for local wildlife because they flower late in the season.  The genus Artemisia is widespread in the Old and New Worlds, and many species have been utilized for hundreds of years in Europe, Asia, and the Americas in horticulture, cooking, and medicine. [4]

California sagebrush is sometimes confused for a true sage (Salvia) due to its common name and leaves that smells like sage.  It is a crucial part of the community of coastal sage scrub habitat and is frequently widely utilized in restoration initiatives.  When planted in full sun, it can reach heights and widths of roughly 4' and 4'.  Once established, it may survive without additional water, but will appear happier when watered occasionally in the deep summer.  Sagebrush's beautifully split gray leaves contrast nicely with the garden's lush green vegetation.  

The fruits produced are resinous achenes up to 1.5 mm long. There is a pappus present that forms a minute crown on the achene body. [3]

The plant contains terpenes which make it quite aromatic. [5] Many people regard the species as having a pleasant smell. [6]

Distribution and habitat

The shrub is native to western California and northwestern Baja California. It is endemic to the California chaparral and woodlands ecoregion, in coastal sage scrub, coastal strand, chaparral, and dry foothill communities. It is found from sea level to 800 m (2,600 ft) in elevation. [3] This species is also found on many islands adjacent to the Baja California peninsula, including the Coronado Islands and Cedros Island. It is even found on Guadalupe Island, in the Pacific Ocean. [7]

The prototypical plant association of A. californica is chaparral, notably in the California Coast Ranges; toyon and sage are also key components of communities which are transitional between chaparral and coastal sage scrub. [8] It is often claimed to be allelopathic, secreting chemicals into the ground which inhibit other plants from growing near and around the shrub. [5]

Cultivation

This shrub is cultivated as an ornamental plant in native plant and wildlife gardens, natural landscaping design, and for restoration of disturbed sites and degraded coastal sage scrub. [5] There are several lower height cultivars in the horticulture trade, for drought-tolerant groundcover use. [9]

It thrives in full sun, preferring to grow on west or north-facing slopes. It needs little water and prefers no water in the summer months; it does not seem that soil types affect plant growth much. This plant relies on wildfire for seed germination and burned plants can crown-sprout and keep growing.

Animals rarely eat Artemisia californica, probably due to the presence of bitter aromatic terpenes, but it does provide good cover for smaller birds and other animals that can fit between its stems. [5] It is an important habitat plant for the endangered California gnatcatcher. [5]

Uses

A. californica is a sagebrush, not a true sage, making it of little culinary interest.

Medicinal

The Cahuilla natives employ the plant as a treatment to fight coughs and colds. They chew the leaves, either dried or fresh. [10] [11] It is used by women of the Cahuilla and Tongva to alleviate menstrual cramps and to ease labor. The plant stimulates the uterine mucosa, which quickens childbirth. It is also made into a decoction, and if taken regularly prior to menstruation, it relieves menstrual cramps and menopause. [12] [11] The Ohlone use it as a pain remover by applying the leaves to wounds or teeth. It is also made into a tea bath to cure colds, coughs, and rheumatism. It is used as a poultice for asthma as well. Its aromatic qualities also make it valuable for incense and perfumes. Today, it continues to be used in native landscaping, providing not only aesthetic appeal but also a link to indigenous traditions. [11]

A. californica is used to make a liniment that is a powerful pain reliever. [13] The monoterpenoids in the plant interact with transient receptor potential cation channels to relieve pain. The plant also contains sesquiterpenes that may be involved in pain relief. The liniment is more powerful than opioid drugs and is much safer. A small amount of the liniment is applied where it is needed. Within 20 minutes, the pain subsides, even pain from broken bones, arthritis, sprains and strains. [14]

Conservation Issues & Efforts

There are various conservation issues with California sagebrush. Threats to its natural habitat include exotic species, habitat fragmentation, and urban development. In recognition of the significance of Artemisia californica in preserving biodiversity, efforts are being made to conserve and restore the coastal sage scrub environment. [15]

Numerous conservation initiatives have been started as a result of the California sagebrush's significance in coastal habitats. Projects aiming at preserving habitat and restoring the coastal sage scrub ecosystem are among them. These conservation activities must include invasive species management tactics, awareness-raising campaigns, and community involvement.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chaparral</span> Shrubland plant community in western North America

Chaparral is a shrubland plant community found primarily in California, in southern Oregon and in the northern portion of the Baja California Peninsula in Mexico. It is shaped by a Mediterranean climate and infrequent, high-intensity crown fires.

<i>Artemisia tridentata</i> Species of plant

Artemisia tridentata, commonly called big sagebrush, Great Basin sagebrush or (locally) simply sagebrush, is an aromatic shrub from the family Asteraceae, which grows in arid and semi-arid conditions, throughout a range of cold desert, steppe, and mountain habitats in the Intermountain West of North America. The vernacular name "sagebrush" is also used for several related members of the genus Artemisia, such as California sagebrush.

<i>Salvia mellifera</i> Species of shrub

Salvia mellifera is a small, highly aromatic, evergreen shrub of the genus Salvia native to California, and Baja California, Mexico. It is common in the coastal sage scrub of Southern California and northern Baja California. Black sage has a dark appearance, especially during drought.

<i>Salvia apiana</i> Species of shrub

Salvia apiana, the Californian white sage, bee sage, or sacred sage is an evergreen perennial shrub that is native to the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico, found mainly in the coastal sage scrub habitat of Southern California and Baja California, on the western edges of the Mojave and Sonoran deserts.

<i>Acmispon glaber</i> Species of shrub

Acmispon glaber is a perennial subshrub in the family Fabaceae. The plant is a pioneer species found in dry areas of California, Arizona, and Mexico. It is commonly found in many areas including chaparral, coastal sand and roadsides at elevations below 1500 m.

<i>Juniperus californica</i> Species of conifer

Juniperus californica, the California juniper, is a species of juniper native to southwestern North America.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Coastal sage scrub</span> Shrubland plant community of California

Coastal sage scrub, also known as coastal scrub, CSS, or soft chaparral, is a low scrubland plant community of the California coastal sage and chaparral subecoregion, found in coastal California and northwestern coastal Baja California. It is within the California chaparral and woodlands ecoregion, of the Mediterranean forests, woodlands, and scrub biome.

<i>Frangula californica</i> Species of tree

Frangula californica is a species of flowering plant in the buckthorn family native to western North America. It produces edible fruits and seeds. It is commonly known as California coffeeberry and California buckthorn.

<i>Rhus ovata</i> Species of tree

Rhus ovata, commonly known as sugar bush or sugar sumac, is a shrub or small tree found growing in the canyons and slopes of the chaparral and related ecosystems in Southern California, Arizona, Baja California and Baja California Sur. It is a long lived-plant, up to 100 years, and has dense evergreen foliage that make it conspicuous. It is closely related to and hybridizes with the lemonade sumac.

<i>Prunus ilicifolia</i> Species of tree

Prunus ilicifolia is native to the chaparral areas of coastal California, Baja California, and Baja California Sur. as well as the desert chaparral areas of the Mojave desert.

<i>Malosma</i> Genus of trees

Malosma is a plant genus which contains only a single species, Malosma laurina, with the common names laurel sumac and lentisco (Spanish). Malosma laurina is found along the southern California and Baja California coasts of the Pacific Ocean.

<i>Eriodictyon capitatum</i> Species of flowering plant

Eriodictyon capitatum, the Lompoc yerba santa, is a rare evergreen shrub in the borage family. It is endemic to western Santa Barbara County, in California.

<i>Quercus dumosa</i> Species of oak tree

Quercus dumosa is a species of plant in the family Fagaceae, belonging to the white oak section of the oak genus (Quercus). This tree goes by the common names coastal sage scrub oak and Nuttall's scrub oak.

<i>Cneoridium</i> North American genus of plants

Cneoridium is a monotypic genus in the citrus family which contains the single species Cneoridium dumosum, commonly known as bushrue or coast spice bush. As a perennial, evergreen shrub, Cneoridium is native to the coast of southern California and Baja California, thriving in hot, dry conditions. This plant is characterized by a distinctive citrusy aroma and small, white flowers that appear from winter to spring. The flowers eventually become round berries that resemble a miniature version of the common citrus.

<i>Ephedra californica</i> Species of seed-bearing shrub

Ephedra californica is a species of Ephedra, known by the common names California jointfir, California ephedra, desert tea, Mormon tea, and cañatillo.

<i>Lepechinia ganderi</i> Species of plant

Lepechinia ganderi is a rare species of perennial shrub in the mint family known by the common name San Diego pitcher sage or Gander's pitcher sage. An aromatic plant with white to lavender flowers, this species is only known from southern San Diego County in California and a small portion of Baja California, occurring on chaparral or coastal sage scrub in metavolcanic soils. Because of its limited range, it is under threat from growing urbanization and increased fire frequency.

<i>Arctostaphylos montaraensis</i> Species of flowering plant

Arctostaphylos montaraensis, known by the common name Montara manzanita, is a species of manzanita in the family Ericaceae.

<i>Artemisia palmeri</i> Species of tree

Artemisia palmeri is a rare species of sagebrush known by the common names San Diego sagewort and Palmer sagewort.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">California coastal sage and chaparral</span> Mediterranean forests, woodlands, and scrub ecoregion in Mexico and the United States

The California coastal sage and chaparral is a Mediterranean forests, woodlands, and scrub ecoregion located in southwestern California and northwestern Baja California (Mexico). It is part of the larger California chaparral and woodlands ecoregion.

<i>Salvia munzii</i> Species of flowering plant

Salvia munzii is a semi-evergreen perennial species of sage known by the common name Munz's sage or San Miguel Mountain sage. It is native to northern Baja California, Mexico, and it can be found in a few locations just north of the border in San Diego County, California, where it is particularly rare. It is characterized by small leaves and clear blue flowers. It is a member of the coastal sage scrub and chaparral plant communities.

References

  1. ↑ "NatureServe Explorer 2.0". explorer.natureserve.org. Retrieved 2023-10-23.
  2. ↑ The Plant List Artemisia californica Less.
  3. 1 2 3 "Artemisia californica in Flora of North America @ efloras.org". www.efloras.org. Retrieved 2020-10-04.
  4. ↑ Blogger, CNPS (2012-03-23). "Artemisia in the Garden". California Native Plant Society. Retrieved 2023-10-25.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 "Artemisia californica". www.fs.fed.us. Retrieved 2020-10-04.
  6. ↑ Native Salvias and Artemisias MyMotherLode.com October 15, 2006
  7. ↑ Rebman, J. P.; Gibson, J.; Rich, K. (2016). "Annotated checklist of the vascular plants of Baja California, Mexico" (PDF). San Diego Society of Natural History. 45: 44.
  8. ↑ "C. Michael Hogan, (2008) Toyon (Heteromeles arbutifolia), GlobalTwitcher, ed. N. Stromberg". Archived from the original on 2009-07-19. Retrieved 2008-11-27.
  9. ↑ "Artemisia californica, California Sagebrush". www.laspilitas.com. Retrieved 2020-10-04.
  10. ↑ "BRIT - Native American Ethnobotany Database". naeb.brit.org. Retrieved 2020-10-04.
  11. 1 2 3 "Artemisia californica" (PDF). fs.fed.us. February 2016.
  12. ↑ "International Programs | US Forest Service". www.fs.usda.gov. February 2016. Retrieved 2020-10-04.
  13. ↑ Adams, James (2012). "The Use of California Sagebrush (Artemisia californica) Liniment to Control Pain". Pharmaceuticals. 5 (10): 1045–53. doi: 10.3390/ph5101045 . PMC   3816656 . PMID   24281255.
  14. ↑ Adams, James David Jr. "What can traditional healing do for modern medicine." Tang [Humanitas Medicine] 4.2 (2014): 3. pag.
  15. ↑ Hickson, D. E., Chan, M. L., Groenendyk, D., & Safford, H. D. (2017). Quantifying vegetation change within the Southern California coastal sage scrub monitoring network. Ecological Indicators, 77, 212-224.
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