Northern Wormwood – Oregon Conservation Strategy

Photo Credit: Oregon Department of Agriculture

Overview

Species Common Name Northern Wormwood
Species Scientific Name Artemisia campestris var. wormskioldii
Federal Listing Status Species of Concern
State Listing Status Endangered

Ecoregions

Columbia Plateau

The Columbia Plateau ecoregion was shaped by cataclysmic floods and large deposits of wind-borne silt and sand earlier in its geological history. It is dominated by a rolling landscape of arid lowlands dissected by several important rivers, and extends from the eastern slopes of the Cascades Mountains, south and east from the Columbia River to the Blue Mountains.

West Cascades

The West Cascades ecoregion extends from east of the Cascade Mountains summit to the foothills of the Willamette, Umpqua, and Rogue Valleys, and spans the entire length of the state of Oregon. It is largely dominated by conifer forests, moving into alpine parklands and dwarf shrubs at higher elevations.

Special needs

This species was historically known from the banks of the Columbia River. Northern wormwood is found in shrub-steppe vegetation, typically on basalt, compacted cobble, and sandy substrates.

Limiting factors

Habitat has been lost to highway construction, dams and subsequent flooding, and riparian development.

Data gaps

Conduct reproductive biology and pollinator studies. Develop seed germination, propagation, and transplanting protocols. Conduct demographic studies.

Conservation actions

Survey likely habitat for new occurrences. Establish new populations.

Key reference or plan

Oregon Department of Agriculture Plant Conservation