Artemisia dracunculus

Two subspecies of A. dracunculus (glauca and dracunculus) were recognized by Kartesz (1994), but Kartesz (1999) and the Flora of North America (vol. 19 2006) considers them to be synonyms. A. dracunculus "apparently intergrades to a limited extent with Artemisia campestris subsp. caudata, especially in the southern Great Plains." (Great Plains Flora Association 1986)

This species is quite widely distributed and very common, at least in portions of its range. It is described as weedy (Weber and Wittmann 1996a, Weber and Wittmann 1996b) and appears to have been introduced in parts of its range. The current level of harvest of this species for spices and for medicinal purposes does not seem to be compromising any populations.

A. dracunculus occurs in eastern Europe and Asia, and throughout much of western North America, south from Alaska to northern Mexico, and westwards from Ontario, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Texas (USDA-NRCS 1999, Great Plains Flora Association 1986, Hulten 1968, Kartesz 1999). A. dracunculus also in occurs in New York and a few adjoining states (USDA-NRCS 1999), though these may represent more recent human introductions, as they are not listed in earlier journals (Gleason and Cronquist 1963). The Alaskan and many European populations may also result from human introductions (Hulten 1968). The taxon present in Manitoba is Artemisia dracunculus ssp. glauca, where it is at its northeastern limit and occurs in the southern third of the province, west of the Red River valley (Manitoba Conservation Data Centre).

Tens of thousands of populations are extant rangewide, with large areas of Nevada, Wyoming, British Columbia, Nebraska, and Arizona reportedly occupied by this species. Wyoming: >100; British Columbia: common; Manitoba: 21-100; Ontario: one, presumed at the eastern edge of its native range, though possibly adventive because it is near a railroad track; Nevada: very widespread, both geographically and in elevation; Kansas: 50-75, overlooked and underrepresented in herbaria; Illinois: two; Nebraska: common; California: common; Colorado: "frequent and often weedy" (Weber and Wittmann 1996a, Weber and Wittmann 1996b).; Missouri: 5 historical occurrences ssp. glauca; Arizona: occurs through much of the state (Kearney and Peebles 1951); Idaho: extremely common, in some places with weedy tendencies; New York: considered a rare introduction (Natural Heritage Programs and Conservation Data Centres).

There are no reports from botanists that there is evidence of plant collecting or any obvious impacts on the species due to this practice. However, given the ubiquity of this species, and the multitude of uses that this plant serves, it is certainly being collected to at least a small extent. Robyn Klein (pers. comm.) states that this and other species of Artemisia are collected for medicinal uses and to make smudge bundles, but that it is unlikely that it is in danger of overharvesting.

In Manitoba, Native Americans may collect this species as they do other Artemisia spp. for cultural/medicinal use. Collection of Artemisia species has been observed in and around reserves (Manitoba Conservation Data Centre).

It is listed as "an herb that can be commonly gathered" (Frontier Co-op 2000). It is collected by hand, which is laborious. Other species, such as A. tridentata and A. ludoviciana, are more commonly collected than this species (Robyn Klein pers. comm.).

An individual from the U.S. herbal medicinal industry states that this plant receives minor usage outside its use as a spice (French tarragon), for which it is cultivated and imported (McGuffin pers. comm.).

In North America, towards the eastern edges of its range, many of the habitats which may have supported this species have been destroyed over the last 200 years for agriculture, urban or suburban development, and materials mining. Also along this eastern zone, it is possible that habitat degradation is a significant threat to remaining populations; natural communities in this region are often greatly dissected by agriculture and development, and subsequent alterations in landscape processes are altering many habitats. In contrast, threats to the habitat of this species towards the interior of its range (the Great Plains, Rocky Mountains, Great Basin, etc.) may be merely sporadic at this time. In Manitoba, threats are grazing, mowing, and tillage (Manitoba Conservation Data Centre). Current rates of wild harvest of this species do not appear to be having a noticeable impact, but renewed interest in this species as a medicinal herb is likely to result in increased wild harvest in the future (Edward Fletcher pers. comm.).