Mugwort is a
native
perennial plant of the UK, typically found growing in roadsides and waste ground, to a mature height of up to 200cm.
Mugwort has very small flowerbuds, covered in white hairs, arranged in clusters on long spikes. They open to reveal composite flowers, made up solely of brown disc florets (no outer ray florets). Each floret bears 'spidery' protruding yellow anthers and short styles. The name 'Mugwort' is uncertain but may come from Old English for 'moth' or 'midge plant', alluding to the plant's usage to control insects. Another suggestion is that the plant is named after its use to flavour drinks ('mug plant').
Botanic classification and naming: Mugwort is a member of the Daisy (Asteraceae) family. The genus name
'Artemisia' identifies the plant as a Wormwood and its species name 'vulgaris' means 'common species'.
Benefits: Several species of butterfly and moth feed on the flowers and leaves. The seeds of Mugwort provide a food source for birds.
Benefits to wildlife are also indicated with orange icons in the plant profile bar at the top.
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