About Artemisia pycnocephala (Less.) DC.
Artemisia pycnocephala is a leafy perennial wormwood that grows in clumps reaching around 50 centimeters (20 inches) tall. It produces erect stems covered in dense foliage, which ranges in color from light green to almost white. Its fuzzy inflorescences are dotted with small lobular leaves and rounded yellowish flower buds. This plant is aromatic, but much less strongly scented than other wormwood species. It is native to the coastal strand plant community of Oregon and California, where it grows in rocky and sandy soil. Per records from The University of California, Berkeley and Jepson Herbaria, this species prefers to grow at elevations below 200 meters. Within California, its range primarily extends from Del Norte County to San Luis Obispo County, with isolated populations recorded in Los Angeles and San Diego Counties.
