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| ## Prairie sagewort {#prairie-sagewort .Title-Header}                 |
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| *Artemisia frigida* Willd.                                            |
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| Plant Symbol = ARFR4                                                  |
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##### *Contributed By: USDA NRCS National Plant Data Center*

###### Alternative Names![](media/image2.jpeg){width="2.495138888888889in" height="1.7798611111111111in"}

Pasture sage, fringed sage, sweet sage, northern wormwood

###### Uses

*Ethnobotanical*: The Cheyenne used prairie sagewort ceremonially as a
smudge for purification in the Sun Dance (Hart 1976; Kinscher 1992). The
Delaware-Okl chewed the leaves as a ceremonial medicine. The Blackfeet
chewed the leaves of prairie sagewort for heartburn (McClintock 1923,
Hellson 1974) and applied the leaves to wounds to reduce swelling.
Prairie sagewort was also used to treat nosebleed by stuffing the nose
with the soft leaves. The roots and tops were boiled and drank as a tea
for "mountain fever." Other tribes, who used this species of sage
include the Arapaho, Comanche, Gros Ventre, Cree, Navaho, Tewa, and Ute
(Nickerson 1966, Carlson and Jones 1939, Hart 1976, Thwaites 1905, Denig
1855, Elmore 1944, Robbins et al. 1916, Chamberlin 1909).

Cheyenne women used prairie sagewort to correct menstrual irregularity
(Hart 1976). During the time of the month when women left their lodges
and went to the menstrual hut, they drank tea made from the root of
*Artemisia* *frigida* or the leaves of the white sage (*Artemisia
ludoviciana*). The Dakota, Omaha, Pawnee, and Ponca women used a
decoction of the plant for irregular menstrual periods.

The Blackfeet used the leaves of prairie sandwort as a preservative for
stored meat (Hellson

and Gadd 1974). It was known by the Chilcotin as horse food (Myers et
al. Unpubl. Notes 1988).

According to Moerman (1986) *Artemisia frigida* was used in the
following ways:

-   The Chippewa used it as an anti-convulsive, a cure for "fits,"
    burned leaves to disinfect a contagious patient, inhaled a moxa for
    biliousness, put it on wounds to stop bleeding, made a decoction of
    the roots for a stimulant or tonic, and placed fresh leaves in
    nostrils and mouth as protection when "working with the dead."

-   Montana Indians used a decoction as a remedy for lung troubles.

-   The Navaho-Ramah used a decoction of leaves to alleviate coughing,
    made a hot poultice of leaves for toothaches, and used the root for
    "life medicine."

-   The Potawatomi placed leaves and flowers on live coals to revive
    comatose patients.

-   The Shuswap burned the plant to keep away mosquitoes.

-   The Tewa chewed leaves for indigestion or flatulence.

-   The Zuni used an infusion of the whole plant as a cold remedy.

The lactone glycosides, santonin and artemisin, are probably found in
all *Artemisia* species and account for their anthelmintic properties
(Moore 1979). Thujone, a terpene-like ketone and essential oil, is also
found in the plant and may be responsible for some of its medicinal
effects (Kinscher 1992). However, it is poisonous in large doses. The
Food and Drug Administration classifies *Artemisia* as an unsafe herb
containing "a volatile oil which is an active narcotic poison" (Duke
1985). Although the native species of *Artemisia* have never been listed
as official drugs in the [U.S. Pharmacopoeia]{.underline}, *A. frigida*
is listed as a source of camphor (Kindscher 1992).

*Wildlife*: Sagebrush furnishes essential cover for many of the smaller
desert animals (Martin et al. 1951). Its foliage and flower clusters
constitute most of the diet of the sage grouse, and these parts together
with the twigs are the primary source of food for antelope and mule
deer. Range cattle also make good use of sagebrush as forage. Other
mammals, which browse the foliage and stems, include jackrabbits,
black-tailed rabbits, white-tailed rabbits, cottontails, chipmunks,
gophers, ground squirrels, and various species of mice, prairie dogs,
kangaroo rats, and white-throated wood rats. Elk and mountain sheep also
browse on the foliage and twigs.

###### Status

Please consult the PLANTS Web site and your State Department of Natural
Resources for this plant's current status, such as, state noxious status
and wetland indicator values.

###### Description

*General:* Sunflower Family (Asteraceae). Prairie sagewort is a
spreading shrublet 1-4 dm (3.9-15.7 in) tall, pleasantly fragrant,
whitish or grayish tomentose, and arising from a tough, woody crown.
Tomentose means having dense, velvety, fuzzy hairs. The leaves are also
tomentose and abundant, clustered toward the base and scattered along
the stem. The lower leaves are petiolate, 12 mm (0.5 in) long, with the
upper leaves becoming sessile. The inflorescence is a panicle with
small, greenish flower heads. Prairie sagewort flowers from July to
August. The fruits are dry, smooth, broadly cylindrical achenes.

###### Distribution

For current distribution, please consult the Plant Profile page for this
species on the PLANTS Web site. The range is from western Minnesota,
southwest to eastern Colorado and from Wisconsin, north to British
Columbia, Alaska, and Siberia and south to Arizona and northern New
Mexico.

###### Establishment

*Adaptation*: Prairie sagewort grows in the open high plains, prairies,
and semi-disturbed sites. Most of the wild sages are abundant in their
natural habitats. *Artemisia* species can be propagated by seeds, by
division of the rootstock, or by cuttings taken in the early summer
(Kindscher 1992).

#### *Propagation from Cuttings*: *Artemisia* species can easily be divided and replanted.

-   In greenhouse conditions, it is best to dig up and separate plants
    in late fall or winter. This is the "quiescent" period that follows
    seed maturation, and leaves are senescent (dried up and brown
    colored).

-   Split the plant clump into pieces by hand, then cut the plant into
    sections, each with one or more buds.

-   For dividing the whole plant, gently loosen the soil around the
    plant, taking care to not damage the roots, and then lift the plant
    gently with a pitchfork. Shake off as much soil from the roots as
    possible.

-   Divide the plant into smaller pieces by hand, retaining only
    healthy, vigorous sections, each with new buds.

-   Replant the divisions as soon as possible. It is important the
    plants don't dry out, so if replanting is delayed a couple of hours,
    dip the plants briefly in water and keep them in a sealed plastic
    bag in a cool, shady place until you are ready to plant them.

-   Cut back the old top-growth and replant the divided plant sections
    to the same depth as before.

-   When replanting, ensure that the roots are well spread out in the
    planting hole and the plant firmed in. Water newly planted divisions
    thoroughly; take care not to expose the roots by washing away soil
    when watering.

-   Plants should be planted in the full sun in a light, loose soil.
    Plants should be planted on 12-18" centers.

-   As plants are becoming established, the rooting zone needs to be
    kept moist.

*Propagation by seed*: When the soil has warmed up to at least 45ºF
(7ºC) in the spring, sow hardy *Artemisia* species where they are to
flowers.

-   Seeds can also be sown in pots or seed trays and either planted out
    in their final positions in late fall or over-wintered in a cold
    frame to be planted in spring. This technique is particularly useful
    in gardens with clay soil that is slow to warm up in spring.

-   The two main methods of sowing seeds outdoors are broadcast and in
    drills. For both, prepare the seedbed by digging over the soil to
    one spade depth, then rake over and firm.

-   Broadcast Sowing: Sprinkle seeds thinly and evenly on the surface of
    the prepared seedbed and rake them in lightly. Label the seedbeds,
    then water the area gently but thoroughly with a fine spray.

-   Sowing in Drills: Use either a trowel tip or the corner of a hoe,
    mark out shallow drill holes 3-6" (8-15 cm) apart, depending on the
    ultimate size of the plant. Sow seeds thinly and evenly by
    sprinkling or placing them along each drill at the appropriate
    depth. Carefully cover with soil and firm. Label each row and water
    gently but thoroughly with a fine spray.

-   The seedlings usually need to be thinned to prevent overcrowding. To
    minimize disturbance to a seedling being retained, press the soil
    around it after thinning the adjacent seedlings.

-   Water the newly establishing seedlings fairly frequently until the
    roots have developed.

###### Cultivars, Improved and Selected Materials (and area of origin)

Consult your local nurseries to choose the right cultivar for your
specific landscape. ARFR is available through your local native plant
nursery within its range.

###### References

Andros, F. 1883. *The medicine and surgery of the Winnebago and Dakota
Indians*. American Medical Association Journal 1:116-118.

Beichel, C., E. McDonald, & T. Cole (eds.) 1993. *Encyclopedia of
gardening*. Dorling Kindersley, London, New York, Stuttgart. 648 pp.

Carlson, G.G. & V.H. Jones 1939. *Some notes on use of plants by the
Comanche* *Indians*. Michigan Academy of Science, Arts, and Letters 25:
517-543.

Chamberlin, R.V. 1909. *Some plant names of the Ute Indians*. American
Anthropologist 11: 27-40.

Denig, E.T. 1855*.* *An account of medicine and surgery as it exists
among the Cree Indians.* St. Louis Medicinal and Surgical Journal 13:
312-318.

Densmore, F. 1974. *How Indians use wild plants for food, medicine, and
crafts*. Dover Publications, Inc., New York, New York. 97 pp.

Elmore, F.H. 1944. *Ethnobotany of the Navajo*. University of New
Mexico, Monographs of the School of American Research. Number 8.

Grinnell, G.B. 1962. *The Cheyenne Indians*. 2 Vols. Cooper Square
Publishers, New York, New York.

Hart, J. A. 1976. *Montana mative plants and early peoples*. Montana
Historical Society, Helena, Montana.

Hartmann, H.T., D.E. Kesler, & F.T. Davies, Jr. 1990. *Plant propagation
principles and practices.* Prentice Hall, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey.

Hellson, J.C. 1974. *Ethnobotany of the Blackfeet Indians*. National
Museum of Man, Mercury Series, Canadian Ethnology Service. Paper No. 19.

Kroeber, A.L. 1908. *The ethnology of the Gros Ventre*. American Museum
of Natural History, Anthropological Papers 1:145-281.

Kindscher, K. 1992. *Medicinal wild plants of the prairie*. *An
ethnobotanical guide*. University Press of Kansas. 340 pp.

Kindscher, K. 1987. *Edible wild plants of the prairie.* University
Press of Kansas. 276 pp.

Martin, A.C., H.S. Zim, & A.L. Nelson 1951. *American wildlife and
plants a guide to wildlife food habits.* Dover Publications, Inc., New
York, New York. 500 pp.

M^c^Clintock, W. 1909. *Materia medica of the Blackfeet*. Zeitschrift
fur Ethnologie: 273-279.

McGregor, R.L., T.M. Barkley, R.E. Brooks, & E.K. Schofield (eds.).
*Flora of the Great Plains*. Great Plains Flora Association, University
Press of Kansas. 1402 pp.

Moerman, D.E. 1986. *Medicinal plants of Native America*. Research
Reports in Ethnobotany, Contribution 2, University of Michigan Museum of
Anthropology Technical Reports, Number 19. 534 pp.

Moore, M. 1979. *Medicinal plants of the mountain west*. Museum of New
Mexico Press, Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Nickerson, G.S. 1966. *Some data on plains and great basin Indian uses
of certain native plants*. Tebiwa 9.1: 45-47.

Robbins, W., J.P. Harrington, & B. Freire-Marreco 1916. *Ethnobotany of
the Tewa*. Smithsonian Institution, Bureau of American Ethnology,
Bulletin 5, Washington, D.C.

Smith, H.H. 1928. *Ethnobotany of the Meskwaki Indians*. Bulletin of the
Ojibwa Indians. Bulletin of the Public Musum of the City of Milwaukee
4(3): 327-325.

USDA, NRCS 2000. *The PLANTS database*. \<http://plants.usda.gov\>.
Version: 000316. National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

USDI, Geological Survey 2000. *Native wildflowers of the North Dakota
grasslands*. Version: 000316.
\<http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/literatr/wildflwr/species/artefrig.htm\>.
Northern Prairies Wildlife Research Center, Jamestown, North Dakota.

###### Prepared By

# *Michelle Stevens*

Formerly USDA, NRCS, National Plant Data Center

###### Species Coordinator

# *M. Kat Anderson*

USDA, NRCS, National Plant Data Center

c/o Plant Science Department, University of California, Davis,
California

Revised: 04dec00 jsp; 17mar03 ahv; 30may06jsp

For more information about this and other plants, please contact your
local NRCS field office or Conservation District, and visit the PLANTS
Web site\<[http://plants.usda.gov](http://plants.usda.gov/)\> or the
Plant Materials Program Web site
\<[http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov](http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov/)\>

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