Ling Yuou-ruen[1]; C. J. Humphries[2], Leila Shultz[3]
Herbs, subshrubs, or shrubs, usually strongly and pleasantly aromatic, densely tomentose, pubescent, glandular, viscid, or glabrescent. Leaves pinnate, rarely palmately divided or entire. Capitula globose, ovoid, or ellipsoid, in paniculate, spicate, racemose, or +/- corymbose inflorescences; involucral bracts in 3 or 4 series, scarious or herbaceous with scarious margins; receptacle convex or flat, naked or pubescent. Marginal florets pistillate, 3--10 or more, in 1(or 2) series; corolla tubular, rarely vasiform, cupular, or conical, 2(--4)-toothed; style exserted, apex acute. Central florets bisexual, several to numerous, in 2 or more series; corolla tubular, 5-toothed; anthers with an acute triangular apical appendage and 2 obtuse basal appendages; style ca. as long as or longer than corolla, divergent, and with a truncate or folding and pedicellate apex, or sometimes shorter than corolla, not divergent, and with a clavate or funnelform apex. Achenes obovoid, ovoid, or oblong, faintly striate; pappus absent or as a minute crown.
Approximately 380 species mainly in the northern hemisphere, but also in Africa, Australia, Central and South America; 187 species and 46 varieties occur in China.
Many species are rich in polyacetylenes, flavonoids, terpenoids, and cyanogenic glycosides and are well-known medicinal plants. Some are used to stabilize sand in desert or semidesert areas or as herbage for feeding livestock.
Ling Yeou-Ruenn. 1992. Compositae - Anthemideae (2). In: Ling Young & Ling Yeou-ruenn, eds., Fl. Reipubl. Popularis Sin. 76(2): 1--321.
??Artemisia deversa Diels - in Fl. Hubeiensis 4: 113.
1a. Disk florets sterile; style shorter than corolla, usually not divergent, 2-cleft, with clavate or funnelform apex.
2a. Lobules of leaf blade filiform, narrowly linear, lanceolate, or subulate and less than 1.5 mm wide, or pectinate and 1--2.5 X 1--2.5 mm, or leaf blade lanceolate or linear-lanceolate; ovaries of disk florets usually minute ................................................................................ 6. Sect. Dracunculus
2b. Lobules of leaf blade broadly linear to lanceolate or elliptic, more than (1--)1.5 mm wide, or leaf blade spatulate or obovate; ovaries of disk florets usually absent ................... 7. Sect. Latilobus
1b. Disk florets fertile; style ca. as long as or longer than corolla, branches divergent, recurved at apex.
3a. Receptacle pubescent or chaffy, sometimes hairs deciduous; corolla of pistillate florets usually vasiform or narrowly conical, (2--)4-toothed ..................................................... 1. Sect. Absinthium
3b. Receptacle glabrous; corolla of pistillate florets narrowly tubular or rarely narrowly conical, 2- or 3-toothed or without teeth.
4a. Involucral bracts scarious throughout, glabrescent, midvein not green 5. Sect. Albibractea
4a. Involucral bracts scarious only at margin, midvein green.
5b. Plant glandular or viscid pubescent ............................................ 4. Sect. Viscidipubes
5b. Plant not glandular or viscid, puberulent or glabrescent.
6a. Capitula globose, rarely ovoid; lobules of leaf blade less than 1(--1.5) mm wide, if wider then pectinate .................................................................................. 2. Sect. Abrotanum
6b. Capitula ellipsoid or oblong, rarely subglobose, campanulate, or semiglobose; lobules of leaf blade more than (1.5--)2 mm wide ....................................................... 3. Sect. Artemisia
Absinthium Tournefort ex Linnaeus, Syst. Ed. I. 1735; Absynthium Gaertner; Artemisia Subgen. Absinthium (Gaertner, Meyer & Scherbius) Lessing.
Plants tomentose or puberulent, rarely arachnoid. Leaves 1--3--pinnatisect; lobes or lobules linear or filiform, serrate. Capitula globose or subglobose; involucral bracts scarious at margin; receptacle pubescent or chaffy, or hairs deciduous. Disk florets usually (50--)80--100 or more; style ca. as long as or longer than corolla. Corolla of pistillate florets vasiform or narrowly conical, (2--)4-toothed.
Northern hemisphere, few in Africa, Central and South America. 23 species and five varieties occur in China. Most species contain monoterpenoids.
1a. Annual or biennial herb; main root solitary, vertical, +/- fusiform; basal leaves (including petiole) less than 8 cm.
2a. Proximal cauline leaves 1- or 2-pinnatisect, segments pectinate, glandular apically, middle segments pinnatifid or entire ......................................................................... 22. A. succulentoides
2b. Proximal cauline leaves 2- or 3-pinnatisect, middle segments 1---3-pinnatisect, segments not pectinate, not glandular apically.
3a. Capitula globose or semiglobose, more than 4 mm in diam.
4a. Capitula in racemose or narrow racemose-paniculate inflorescences; middle cauline leaves 2-pinnatisect, lobules filiform, 0.5--1 mm wide ............................... 1. A. macrocephala
4b. Capitula in broad paniculate inflorescences; middle cauline leaves 2- or 3-pinnatisect or -partite, lobules linear or linear-lanceolate, rarely lacerate, 1--1.5(--2) mm wide 2. A. sieversiana
3b. Capitula ellipsoid-conical, semiglobose, subglobose or broadly ovoid, 1.5--3(--4) mm in diam.
5a. Middle cauline leaves 2- or 3-pinnatisect, with (1- or)2 or 3 pairs of segments, lobules filiform or hairlike, 2--5 mm; capitula 1.5--2(--2.5) mm in diam.; involucral bracts densely pubescent 21. A. anethoides
5b. Middle cauline leaves 2-pinnatisect, with 2--4 pairs of segments, lobules linear, narrowly linear or filiform, 4--15 mm; capitula 2--4 mm in diam.; involucral bracts minutely tomentose, puberulent, or +/- glabrescent.
6a. Capitula ellipsoid or conical, (2--)3(--4) mm in diam., involucral bracts minutely tomentose, +/- glabrescent ......................................................................................... 19. A. nakaii
6b. Capitula semiglobose or broadly ovoid, 2--3(--4) mm in diam., involucral bracts slightly puberulent or +/- glabrescent ........................................................................ 20. A. anethifolia
1b. Perennial herb, subshrub, or shrub; roots several, not fusiform (if biennials with a solitary fusiform root, then basal leaves 11--18 cm); basal leaves usually more than 8 cm.
7a. Leaf blade spatulate to lanceolate, apex entire or 3--5-cleft; inflorescences racemose or racemose-paniculate ........................................................................................ 12. A. lagocephala
7b. Leaves not as above; inflorescences racemose, spicate, or paniculate.
8a. Capitula (4--)5--8 mm in diam., in narrowly paniculate inflorescences; perennial herbs or subshrubs.
9a. Plant densely yellowish to yellow sericeous-tomentose; corolla with multicellular hairs; basal leaves 5--10 cm, with 7--13 pairs of lateral segments ....................................... 17. A. stracheyi
9b. Plant pubescent or glabrescent; corolla glabrous; basal leaves less than 5 cm, with 3--7 pairs of lateral segments, or leaves 3-cleft.
10a. Middle cauline leaves more than 1.5 cm, 2-pinnatisect, densely yellowish or white sericeous tomentulose; middle lobes 1.5--4 mm wide.
11a. Plant 40--60(--75) cm; middle cauline leaves elliptic or ovate; involucral bracts with narrow white scarious margins ............................................................................... 3. A. sericea
11b. Plant 20--40(--50) cm; middle cauline leaves suborbicular or orbicular-reniform; involucral bracts with wide brown scarious margins .......................................... 4. A. aschurbajewii
10b. Middle cauline leaves 0.8--1.5 cm, 1- or 2-pinnatisect or -pinnatipartite, or segments divided or serrate; tomentose, pubescent, or glabrescent; middle lobe less than 1 mm wide.
12a. Middle cauline leaves 1(or 2)-pinnatipartite, pubescent, later glabrescent, greenish, flat dotted abaxially; involucral bracts glabrescent, with black scarious margins 13. A. disjuncta
12b. Middle cauline leaves 2-pinnatisect or segments parted, densely incanous or yellowish tomentose, or glabrescent, not dotted; involucral bracts pubescent or glabrescent, with white scarious margins.
13a. Middle cauline leaves with 5--7 pairs of segments, distal lobes pinnatisect or 3-lobulate, proximally not lobed, pubescent, glabrescent; involucral bracts pubescent 8. A. rupestris
13b. Middle cauline leaves with 2--4(or 5) pairs of segments, segments parted or lobulate; leaves and involucral bracts yellowish sericeous tomentose or pubescent or glabrescent.
14a. Stems longer than 20 cm; leaf segments with only distal elliptic or elliptic-lanceolate lobules; corolla limb puberulent ........................................................ 7. A. argyrophylla
14b. Stems shorter than 20 cm; leaf segments with minute or lacerate lobules; corolla limb glabrous.
15a. Caespitose dwarf subshrub; middle cauline leaves with 2(or 3) pairs of segments, 3--5-lobulate, lobules 1--2 X 0.5--1 mm; leaves and involucral bracts densely yellowish or incanous tomentose ................................................................................. 15. A. minor
15b. Perennial herb; middle cauline leaves with (3 or)4(or 5) pairs of segments, segments serrate or with lobules 2--8 X 0.6--1 mm, pubescent, soon glabrescent; involucral bracts with brown scarious margins, glabrescent ..................................... 14. A. niitakayamensis
8b. Capitula 2--3(--5) mm in diam., in somewhat wide paniculate and or racemose inflorescences; subshrubs or shrubs.
16a. Middle cauline leaves 6--9 cm, 2-pinnatisect, lobules (8--)10--25 X (2--)3--5 mm, yellowish or sericeous incanous pubescent; capitula in wide paniculate inflorescences 5. A. absinthium
16b. Middle cauline leaves less than 6 cm, 1(--3)-pinnatisect or twice deeply 3-lobed, lobules less than 12 X 2 mm, pubescent or glabrescent; capitula in racemose, paniculate, or spicate inflorescences.
17a. Subshrub or shrub, with a thick woody rootstock; basal leaves 2- or 3-pinnatisect with 3--5 pairs of segments, lobules minute.
18a. Rhizome ca. 1 cm or more in diam.; plants arachnoid-puberulent, glabrescent; middle cauline leaves with 3--5 pairs of segments ............................................................. 23. A. persica
18b. Rhizome 2--5 cm in diam.; plants densely pubescent, stem glabrescent near base; middle cauline leaves with 2 or 3 pairs of segments.
19a. Corolla limb yellow, pubescent; middle cauline leaves 2-pinnatisect, with 2 or 3 pairs of segments, lobules narrowly spatulate, linear, obtuse, or linear-oblanceolate; plants densely incanous or yellowish and sericeous ........................................................... 9. A. xerophytica
19b. Corolla limb purple, glabrous; middle cauline leaves 1- or 2-pinnatisect, with 2 or 3 pairs of segments, lobules lanceolate or elliptic-lanceolate, acute; plants incanous or yellowish tomentose ....................................................................................... 16. A. younghusbandii
17b. Perennial herb, with a thin rootstock, or biennials with a thick rootstock; basal leaves 3(or 4)-pinnatisect, lobules 1.5--3 cm.
20a. Basal leaves 11--18 cm, 3(or 4)-pinnatisect, lobules (1--)1.5--3 cm; capitula ovoid or obovoid-obconical, in paniculate inflorescences .............................................. 18. A. fauriei
20b. Basal leaves less than 2 cm, 2(or 3)-pinnately sectioned, lobules less than 1.2 cm; capitula semi-globose, subglobose or ovoid, in racemose, spicate or paniculate inflorescences.
21a. Plant pubescent, glabrescent; middle cauline leaves panduratisect, dotted 11. A. obtusiloba
21b. Plant densely sericeous or tomentose, yellowish or incanous; leaves not pandurate lobed, not dotted.
22a. Middle cauline leaves suborbicular or reniform, 5--20 X 8--28 mm, 2-pinnatisect or 2-ternately lobed; lobules 6--12 X 1--1.5 mm ............................................ 10. A. rutifolia
22b. Middle cauline leaves oblong or obovate-oblong, 5--7 X 5--7 cm, 1- or 2-pinnatisect; lobules 2--3 X 0.5--1 mm ........................................................................ 6. A. frigida
Artemisia griffithiana Boissier; A. sieversiana Ehrhart ex Willdenow var. pygmaea Krylov.
Herbs annual, 10--30(--50) cm tall, incanous puberulent or pubescent. Stems occasionally +/- woody at base, usually not branched or only shortly branched. Petioles of basal and middle cauline leaves 5--12 mm; leaf blades ovate, 2--4 X 1--1.5 cm, 2-pinnatisect; segments 2 or 3 pairs, basal and middle segments 3--5-sect; lobules narrowly linear or filiform, 1--4 X 0.5--1 mm. Uppermost leaves and leafy bracts 3-lobed or entire, they or lobes linear, sessile. Capitula in lax racemose or narrow racemose-paniculate inflorescences, subglobose, 5--10(--15) mm in diam., nodding, shortly pedicellate; receptacle semiglobose, densely pubescent. Pistillate florets in 1 or 2 series, 40--70; corolla vasiform or narrowly conical, (2--)4-toothed. Bisexual flowers 80--100. Achenes ovoid or obovoid-ellipsoid, with a small apical crown or not. Fl. & fr. Aug-Oct. 2n = 18, 36.
Steppe, hills, waste areas, dry places, saline or gravelly soils; 1500--5500 m. Gansu, Ningxia, Qinghai, Xinjiang, Xizang [Afghanistan, India, Kazakstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan; SW Asia].
Absinthium sieversianum (Ehrhart ex Willdenow) Besser; Artemisia chrysolepis Kitagawa; A. koreana Nakai; A. moxa de Candolle; A. sieversiana var. blinii H. Léveillé; A. sieversiana var. grandis Pampanini; A. sieversiana var. koreana (Nakai) W. Wang & C. Y. Li; A. sparsa Kitagawa.
Herbs annual or biennial, 50--150 cm tall, incanous pubescent or glabrescent. Petioles of basal and middle cauline leaves (1--)2--4 cm; leaf blades broadly ovate or ovate-orbicular, 4--8(--13) X 3--6(--15) cm, 2- or 3-pinnatisect or -partite, with 2 or 3 pairs of segments; lobules linear or linear-lanceolate, 2--10 X 1--1.5(--2) mm, rarely lacerate, apex acute or obtuse. Uppermost leaves and bracts pinnatisect or entire, they or lobes elliptic-lanceolate or lanceolate, sessile. Capitula usually in broad paniculate inflorescences, numerous, semiglobose or subglobose, (3--)4--6 mm in diam., pedicellate or +/- sessile, subtended by linear bracteoles; receptacle semiglobose, densely white pubescent. Pistillate florets in (1 or)2 series, 20--30; corolla conical, (2--)4-toothed. Bisexual florets in more than 2 series, 80--120. Achenes oblong, with minute apical crown or not. Fl. & fr. Jun-Oct. 2n = 18.
Roadsides, waste places, steppe, hillsides, forest margins; sea level to 4200 m. Gansu, N Guizhou, Hebei, Heilongjiang, Hubei, Jilin, Liaoning, Nei Mongol, Ningxia, Qinghai, Shaanxi, Shanxi, E & W Sichuan, Xinjiang, Xizang, W Yunnan [Afghanistan, India, Japan, Kazakstan, Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan; E Europe].
Essential oils are used as antiphlogistic and hemostatic medicines.
Absinthium sericeum Besser, Bull. Soc. Imp. Naturalistes Moscou, n.s., 1(8): 237. 1829; A. grandiflorum Besser; A. nitens Steven ex Besser; Artemisia holosericea Ledebour; A. holosericea var. grandiflora Ledebour & var. parviflora Ledebour; A. sericea (Besser) Weber var. gmeliniana Besser; A. sericea var. ledebouriana Besser; A. sericea var. nitens (Steven) de Candolle; A. sericea var. pallasiana Besser; A. sericea var. parviflora de Candolle.
Subshrubs or perennial herbs, 40--60(--75) cm tall, incanous sericeous or stems glabrescent. Rhizomes thick, creeping. Stems solitary to several, usually not branched. Basal leaves deciduous at anthesis. Petiole of middle cauline leaves 5--8 mm; leaf blade elliptic or ovate, 3--5 X 2--4 cm, 2-pinnatisect; segments 4(--6) pairs, distal lobes 3-lobulate or nearly palmatisect; lobules linear or linear-lanceolate, 10--17 X 1.5--2 mm, apex acute. Uppermost leaves and bracts pinnatisect or 3--5-sect. Capitula usually in racemose or narrow racemose-paniculate inflorescences, semiglobose, (4--)5--6(--9) mm in diam., nodding, shortly pedicellate; receptacle semiglobose, densely pubescent; involucral bracts with narrow white scarious margins. Pistillate florets 10--14; corolla narrowly conical or tubular, 2- or 3-toothed. Bisexual florets 40--80; corolla limb puberulent. Achenes ellipsoid or ellipsoid-ovoid, with apical crown or not. Fl. & fr. Jul-Oct. 2n = 18.
Forest margins, hills, steppe, canyons, waste areas, 600--1600 m. Nei Mongol, Ningxia, N Xinjiang [India, Kazakstan, Mongolia, N Pakistan, Russia; E Europe].
Artemisia sericea (Besser) Weber var. turkestanica C. Winkler.
Herbs perennial, +/- caespitose, 20--40(--50) cm tall, puberulent. Stems several, usually not branched. Petioles of basal and middle cauline leaves 8--12 mm; leaf blades suborbicular or orbicular-reniform, 1--2.5(--3.5) X 1--2(--3) cm, 2-pinnatisect; segments 3--5 pairs, 3-lobulate; lobules lanceolate, 5--10 X 2--4 mm, apex obtuse. Uppermost leaves and bracts 3-lobed; lobes linear or linear-lanceolate. Capitula usually in racemose inflorescences, compact near apex and lax near base, globose or subglobose, 5--7 mm in diam., nodding, shortly pedicellate; involucral bracts with wide brown scarious margins; receptacle semiglobose, densely pubescent. Pistillate florets 10--15; corolla narrowly conical or tubular, 2- or 3-toothed. Bisexual florets 40--60; corolla limb puberulent. Achenes ellipsoid, with minute apical crown or not. Fl. & fr. Jul-Oct. 2n = 36.
Desert or subalpine steppe, rocky hills; 1200--3500 m. NW Gansu, Qinghai, Xinjiang [Kazakstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan].
Absinthium bipedale Gilibert; A. vulgare Lamarck.
Herbs perennial, 60--150 cm tall, incanous sericeous or puberulent. Stems 1--3, somewhat woody at base. Petiole of basal leaves 6--12 cm; leaf blade ovate-elliptic or ovate, 8--12 X 7--9 cm, 2- or 3-pinnatisect; segments 4 or 5 pairs, pinnately lobed; lobules lanceolate-elliptic or -linear, 8--15 X 2--4(--7) mm, apex obtuse. Petiole of middle cauline 2--6 cm; leaf blade ovate or elliptic-ovate, 2-pinnatisect; lobules linear-lanceolate, (8--)10--25 X 2--3(--5) mm. Uppermost leaves 4--6 X 2--4 cm, pinnatisect or 5-lobed; leafy bracts 3-lobed or entire; lobes lanceolate or linear-lanceolate. Capitula usually in wide paniculate inflorescences, globose or subglobose, 2.5--3.5(--4) mm in diam., nodding, shortly pedicellate; receptacle semiglobose, densely pubescent. Pistillate florets 15--25. Bisexual florets 30--70(--90). Achenes oblong, with apical crown or not. Fl. & fr. Aug-Sep. 2n = 18.
Hillsides, steppe, scrub, forest margins; 1100--1500 m. Jiangsu, NW & W Xinjiang [Afghanistan, India, Japan, Kazakstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia; N Africa, SW Asia, Europe, North America].
Used as an antiphlogistic and an antihelminthic.
Herbs perennial or occasionally subshrubs, (10--)30--60(--70) cm tall, densely yellowish or pale yellow sericeous, sometimes stems glabrescent near base. Stems several, woody at base, shortly branched or not. Petiole of lowermost cauline leaves 5--20 mm; leaf blade oblong or obovate-oblong, 8--15 X 8--15 mm, 2(or 3)-pinnatisect; segments (2--)4 pairs; lobules linear-lanceolate or lanceolate. Middle cauline leaves oblong or obovate-oblong, 5--7 X 5--7 mm, 1- or 2-pinnatisect; lobules lanceolate to linear-lanceolate, 2--3 X 0.5--1.5 mm. Uppermost leaves and bracts pinnately or 3--5-lobed. Capitula in spicate or narrow racemose-paniculate inflorescences, semiglobose, globose, or ovoid, (2--)2.5--3(--4.5) mm in diam.; receptacle densely white pubescent. Pistillate florets 8--13; corolla limb yellow or purple. Bisexual florets 20--30. Achenes oblong or ellipsoid-obovate, with a minute apical crown. Fl. & fr. Jun-Oct. 2n = 18, 36; (n = 9, 9+3b, 18, 18+2b, 36).
Steppe, subalpine meadows, dry hillsides, stable dunes, dry waste areas; 1000--4000 m. Gansu, Hebei, W Heilongjiang, N Hubei, W Jilin, W Liaoning, Nei Mongol, Ningxia, Qinghai, N Shaanxi, Xinjiang, Xizang [Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Russia, Tajikistan; SW Asia, E Europe].
1a. Stems 30--60 cm; capitula 2--3 mm in diam.; corolla limb yellow ................ 6a. var. frigida
1b. Stems 10--20 cm; capitula 3.5--4.5 mm in diam.; corolla limb purple 6b. var. atropurpurea
Absinthium frigidum (Willdenow) Besser var. fischerianum Besser; A. frigidum var. willenovianum Besser; Artemisia frigida Willdenow var. fischeriana (Besser) de Candolle; A. frigida var. mongolica Kitamura; A. frigida var. willdiana (Besser) de Candolle.
Stems 30--60(--70) cm. Capitula in racemose or spicate-paniculate inflorescences, globose or ovoid, 2--3 mm in diam. Corolla limb yellow.
Steppe, subalpine meadows, dry hillsides, stable dunes, dry waste areas; 1000--4000 m. Gansu, W Heilongjiang, N Hubei, W Jilin, W Liaoning, Nei Mongol, Ningxia, Qinghai, N Shaanxi, Xinjiang, Xizang [Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Russia, Tajikistan; SW Asia, E Europe].
??
Artemisia frigida f. atropurpurea (Pampanini) W. Wang & C. Y. Li.
Stems 10--18 cm. Capitula in spicate or rarely spicate-paniculate inflorescences, semiglobose, 3.5--4.5 mm in diam. Corolla limb purple.
* Dry hills; 2000--2600 m. Gansu, Ningxia, Xinjiang.
Herbs perennial or subshrubs, 30--50 cm tall, densely silvery or hoary pubescent. Stems +/- woody at base. Petioles of lowermost and middle cauline leaves 5--10 mm; leaf blades obovate-elliptic or elliptic, 5--8 X 5--8 mm, 1- or 2-pinnatisect; segments 2 or 3 pairs, distal lobes 2--4-lobulate; lobules elliptic or elliptic-lanceolate, 2--4 X 0.5--1.5 mm, apex obtuse. Uppermost leaves and leafy bracts pinnatisect. Capitula in somewhat broad paniculate inflorescences, subglobose or subovoid-campanulate, 4--7 mm in diam., nodding, sessile or shortly pedicellate. Pistillate florets 5--10; corolla limb purple or yellow, white puberulent. Bisexual florets 20--40. Achenes oblong or obovoid-oblong, with apical crown or not. Fl. and fr. Jul-Oct.
Steppe, dry areas, hills; up to 2000 m or at 2400 m. W Gansu, SW Nei Mongol, Ningxia, Xinjiang [Mongolia, Russia].
1a. Capitula sessile; corolla limb purple .................................................... 7a. var. argyrophylla
1b. Capitula pedicellate; corolla limb yellow ...................................................... 7b. var. brevis
Artemisia frigida Willdenow var. argyrophylla (Ledebour) Trautvetter.
Stems densely silvery to hoary pubescent. Capitula sessile. Corolla limb purple.
Steppe, dry areas; up to 2000 m. W Gansu, SW Nei Mongol, Ningxia, E Xinjiang [Mongolia, Russia].
Artemisia brevis Pampanini, Rend. Sem. Fac. Sci. Univ. Cagliari 8: 165. 1938.
Stems flexuous, ascending, shortly branched or not, puberulent or glabrescent. Capitula in narrow racemose-paniculate inflorescences, shortly pedicellate. Corolla limb yellow.
* Hills; ca. 2400 m. Xinjiang.
Absinthium rupestre (Linnaeus) Besser; A. rupestre var. oelandicum Besser, A. rupestre var. thuringiacum Besser; A. viride Besser; A. viridifolium Besser; Artemisia dentata Willdenow; A. rupestris Linnaeus var. oelandica (Besser) de Candolle; A. rupestris var. thuringiaca (Besser) de Candolle; A. rupestris var. viridifolia (Besser) de Candolle; A. rupestris var. viridis (Besser) de Candolle; A. viridifolia Sprengel; A. viridis Willdenow ex de Candolle.
Herbs perennial, usually caespitose, 20--50 cm tall, pubescent, glabrescent. Stems brown or dark brown, +/- woody at base, shortly branched or not. Leaves thin. Lowermost cauline leaves petiolate. Middle cauline leaves ovate-elliptic or oblong, 1.5--3(--5) X 1--2(--2.5) cm, pinnatisect; segments 5--7 pairs, pectinate, +/- clasping; lobules minute, linear-lanceolate or linear, 1--6 X 0.5--1.5 mm. Uppermost leaves and leafy bracts pinnatisect or 3-lobed. Capitula in spicate or narrow spicate-paniculate inflorescences, globose or subglobose, 4--7 mm in diam., nodding, pedicellate or sessile; involucral bracts pubescent, with scarious lacerate margins; receptacle semiglobose, pubescent. Pistillate florets 8--16; corolla vasiform or narrowly conical, 3- or 4-toothed. Bisexual florets 30--70. Achenes oblong or oblong-ovoid, usually with a minute apical crown. Fl. & fr. Jul-Oct. 2n = 18, 34.
Dry hills, desert or semidesert steppe, grassy marshlands, dry river valleys, river beds, scrub, forest margins; 1100--2900 m. Xinjiang [Afghanistan, Kazakstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Russia, Tajikistan; E & N Europe].
Plants are used as antiphlogistic and hemostatic medicines.
Shrubs dwarf, caespitose, 30--40 cm tall, with thick woody roots, rootstocks, and branches, densely incanous or yellowish sericeous. Stems usually numerous, brown or brownish, tomentose, glabrescent at base. Petiole of middle cauline leaves 3--5 mm; leaf blade ovate or suborbicular, 10--15 X 4--6 mm, 2-pinnatisect, +/- leathery; segments 2 or 3 pairs, distal lobes 3--5-lobulate; lobules narrowly spatulate, linear, or linear-oblanceolate, 1--3 X 0.5--1.5 mm. Uppermost leaves and leafy bracts pinnatisect or 3--5-lobed, sessile. Capitula in paniculate inflorescences, subglobose, 3.5--4.5 mm in diam., shortly pedicellate; involucral bracts yellowish pubescent; receptacle pubescent. Pistillate florets 4--10. Bisexual florets 10--20; corolla limb puberulent. Achenes obovoid-oblong. Fl. & fr. Aug-Oct.
Gobi, semidesert steppe, dunes; 1700--3500 m. N Gansu, Nei Mongol, Ningxia, N Qinghai, N Shaanxi, N Xinjiang [Mongolia].
Used for windbreaks and sand stabilization. Also an important herbage for livestock.
Subshrubs or shrubs, caespitose, 25--80 cm tall, strongly aromatic, silky puberulent, glabrescent, with woody roots, rootstocks, and branches. Stem branches 20--30 cm. Petioles of lowermost and middle cauline leaves 3--10 mm; leaf blades suborbicular or reniform, 5--20 X 8--28 mm, 2-ternately lobed or nearly 2-palmatisect; segments 1 or 2 pairs; lobules long-elliptic-oblanceolate or elliptic-lanceolate, 6--12 X 1--1.5 mm, recurved or flat. Uppermost leaves and leafy bracts palmatisect, 3-lobed, or entire. Capitula in racemose or narrow paniculate inflorescences, globose or subglobose, 3--9 mm in diam., nodding, pedicellate; receptacle with deciduous paleaceous hairs. Pistillate florets 5--10. Bisexual 12--15; corolla limb puberulent or glabrescent. Achenes ellipsoid-obovoid. Fl. & Fr. Jul-Oct. 2n = 18.
Hills, dry river valleys, basins, steppe, semideserts, Gobi; 1300--5000 m. Nei Mongol, Qinghai, Xinjiang, Xizang [Afghanistan, Kazakstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan; SW Asia].
1a. Capitula 4--9 mm in diam. ............................................................. 10c. var. ruoqiangensis
1b. Capitula 3--4 mm in diam.
2a. Leaves reniform or semiorbicular, 10--20 mm, lobules recurved ............ 10a. var. rutifolia
2b. Leaves suborbicular, 5--10 mm, lobules flat ........................................... 10b. var. altaica
Artemisia falconeri C. B. Clarke; A. turczaninowiana Besser; A. turczaninowiana var. dasyantha Schrenk; A. turczaninowiana var. falconeri (C. B. Clarke) O. Fedtschenko.
Leaves reniform or semiorbicular, 1--2 cm; lobules recurved. Capitula 3--4 mm in diam.
Hills, dry river valleys, basins, steppe; 1300--5000 m. Qinghai, Xinjiang, Xizang [Afghanistan, Kazakstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan; SW Asia].
Artemisia turczaninowiana Besser var. altaica Krylov, Fl. Altaica 3: 61. 1904.
Leaves suborbicular, 5--10 X 5--10 mm; lobules flat, strict. Capitula 3--4(--5) mm in diam.
Semideserts, Gobi. E & N Xinjiang [W Mongolia].
Leaves suborbicular, 5--10 X 5--10 mm; lobules recurved. Capitula 4--9 mm in diam.
* Semidesert steppe, Gobi; 3100--4200 m. E Xinjiang (Ruoqiang).
Herbs perennial, caespitose, 20--35 cm tall, purple or brown, densely incanous pubescent, glabrescent, with woody stocks and branches, shortly branched or not. Leaves and involucral bracts densely pubescent or later glabrescent; leaves usually glandular punctate. Middle cauline leaves sessile, oblong or broadly ovate, 6--20 X 5--15(--17) mm, 2-pinnatisect and panduratisect; segments 2 or 3 pairs, distal lobes falcate, usually 3--5-palmatisect; lobes or lobules minute, linear, linear-lanceolate, or elliptic-lanceolate, 1.5--3 X 0.5--1.5 mm, obtuse. Uppermost leaves and leafy bracts pinnatisect or entire. Capitula in spicate or narrow spicate-paniculate inflorescences, globose or broadly ovoid, 2--3(--4) mm in diam., sessile; involucral bracts yellowish pubescent; receptacle pubescent. Pistillate florets 6--l2. Bisexual florets 20--30; corolla limb puberulous or glabrescent. Achenes ellipsoid. Fl. & fr. Jul-Aug.
Dry hills, semidesert-steppe, roadsides, saline-alkali soils; 900--1700 m. N Xinjiang [Kazakstan, Mongolia, Russia (W Siberia)].
Absinthium lagocephalum Fischer ex Besser, Bull. Soc. Imp. Naturalistes Moscou, n.s., 1(8): 233. 1829; Artemisia besseriana Ledebour; A. besseriana var. integrifolia Ledebour; A. besseriana var. triloba Ledebour; Artemisia chinensis Linnaeus, p.p.; A. kruhsiana Besser; A. lagocephala var. lithophila (Turczaninow ex De Candolle) Y. R. Ling??; A. stelleriana Komarov.
Subshrubs or herbs, caespitose, 40--80 cm tall, densely incanous or brownish pubescent, with woody stock, shortly branched. Lowermost and middle cauline leaves sessile, spatulate, elliptic-oblanceolate, or lanceolate, 30--60 X 3--10 mm, 3--5-crenately cleft or entire apically, cuneate basally. Distal leaves and leafy bracts lanceolate or linear-lanceolate, apex obtuse or acute. Capitula in racemose or narrow racemose-paniculate inflorescences, semiglobose or subglobose, 4--6 mm in diam., pedicellate; receptacle semiglobose, pubescent. Pistillate florets 7--10; corolla 3(or 4)-toothed. Bisexual florets 30--80; corolla limb puberulous. Achenes ellipsoid or obovoid, occasionally with a minute apical crown. Fl. & fr. Aug-Oct. 2n = 18.
Hills, rocky slopes, ridges, outer forest margins, roadsides, forest-steppe; low elevations to 1800 m. Heilongjiang, Jilin, E Nei Mongol [E Russia].
Herbs perennial, caespitose, 10--15 cm tall with woody stock, usually not branched. Petioles of basal and lowermost cauline leaves 2--3 cm, +/- clasping; leaf blades punctate abaxially. Basal leaves oblong or elliptic, 4--6 X 2--4 cm, 2--3-pinnatipartite or -sect; segments 3 or 4 pairs; rachis narrowly winged; lobes 2--3-partite; lobules elliptic-lanceolate or lanceolate, occasionally 1--3-serrate. Uppermost leaves oblong, 10--20 X 5--18 mm, 1(or 2)-pinnatipartite; leafy bracts minute, pinnatipartite or entire. Capitula in racemose inflorescences, subglobose, 5--8 mm in diam., nodding, pedicel 5--15 mm; involucral bracts glabrescent, with black scarious margins; receptacle convex, pubescent. Pistillate florets 8--l2. Bisexual florets 30--50; corolla limb puberulous. Achenes ovoid-ellipsoid. Fl. & fr. Aug-Oct.
Slopes or rocky hills; 1700--2700 m. E Xinjiang [W Mongolia].
Herbs perennial, 10--20 cm tall, puberulous or glabrescent, with +/- woody stock and branches. Petioles of basal and middle cauline leaves 5--10 mm; leaf blades ovate or obovate, 10--25 X 7--16 mm, 2-pinnatisect; segments (3 or)4(or 5) pairs, serrate or lobulate; lobules pectinate, 2--4 pairs, 2--8 X 0.6--1 mm. Uppermost and leafy bracts 1- or 2-pinnatisect or -partite or entire, lobes or entire leaves lanceolate. Capitula in racemose inflorescences, semiglobose, 7--10 mm in diam., pedicels 0.5--2 cm; involucral bracts with brown lacerate scarious margins, glabrescent; receptacle convex, pubescent. Pistillate florets 10--18, (2 or)3- or 4-toothed. Bisexual florets 40--60. Achenes oblong or obovoid-oblong, obviously 3-striate. Fl. & fr. Aug-Sep.
* Mountains; 3000--3800 m. Taiwan.
Artemisia sieversiana Ehrhart ex Willdenow var. tibetica C. B. Clarke; A. tibetica (C. B. Clarke) J. D. Hooker & Thomson.
Herbs or dwarf subshrubs, caespitose, 10--15 cm tall, densely incanous or yellowish tomentose, with thick woody stock and branches, shortly branched or not. Petioles of basal and middle cauline leaves 4--8 mm; leaf blades suborbicular, flabellate, or reniform, 6--12 X 5--10 mm, 2-pinnatisect; segments 2(or 3) pairs, 3--5-lobulate; lobules minute, linear or linear-lanceolate, 1--2 X 0.5--1 mm. Uppermost leaves and leafy bracts minute, pinnatisect or 3-lobed or entire. Capitula in racemose or spicate-racemose inflorescences, semiglobose or subglobose, (3--)5--10 mm in diam.; involucral bracts with broadly scarious and lacerate purple margins; receptacle semiglobose, pubescent. Pistillate florets 10--18, (2 or)3- or 4-toothed. Bisexual florets 50--80; corolla limb purple. Achenes obovoid. Fl. & fr. Jul-Oct. 2n = 18@.
Slopes, canyons, peaks, shores of salt lake, saline soils, rocky grasslands, waysides; 3000--5800 m. W Gansu, W Qinghai, S Xinjiang, Xizang [N India, N Pakistan; SW Asia].
Herbs or subshrubs, caespitose, 15--25(--30) cm tall, densely incanous or yellowish tomentose, with thick woody stock and branches, much branched. Petioles of basal and middle cauline leaves 2--4 mm; leaf blades ovate, broadly ovate, or subreniform, 5--10 X 5--8 mm, 1(or 2)-pinnatisect; segments 2 or 3 pairs, entire or lobulate; lobes or lobules minute, lanceolate or elliptic-lanceolate, 1--2 X 0.5--1 mm. Uppermost leaves and leafy bracts pinnatisect, 3-lobed, or entire. Capitula in broad paniculate inflorescences, semiglobose or broadly ovoid, (2.5--)3--4 mm in diam., nodding; receptacle conical, pubescent. Pistillate 4--8. Bisexual florets 8--14; corolla limb purple, glabrous. Achenes obovoid-ellipsoid. Fl. & fr. Jul-Oct.
* Canyons, hills, rocky slopes, waysides; 4000--4700 m. Xizang.
Herbs perennial, caespitose, 15--45 cm tall, densely incanous yellow or yellowish sericeous tomentose, fetid, and thick woody root and stock, usually not branched. Petiole of basal leaves 5--8 cm, +/- clasping; leaf blades narrowly ovate, oblong, or elliptic, 5--10 X 1--2 cm, 2- or 3-pinnatisect; segments 7--13 pairs, 1--3-lobulate; lobules narrowly linear-lanceolate or linear, 3--5 X 1--1.5 mm. Middle and uppermost leaves 1- or 2-pinnatisect; leafy bracts pinnatisect or entire. Capitula in racemose or dense spicate-racemose inflorescences, semiglobose, 6--10 mm in diam., nodding, shortly pedicellate; receptacle semiglobose, deciduously pubescent. Pistillate florets 4--10. Bisexual florets 50--60; corolla with adhered multicellular hairs. Achenes obovoid. Fl. & fr. Jul-Nov. 2n = 18.
Hills, floodlands, lakesides, rocky slopes, meadows, shrublands; 4300--5200 m. Xizang. [N India, N Pakistan].
Artemisia fukudo Makino var. mokpensis Pampanini; A. haichowensis Chang.
Herbs perennial, 20--40 cm tall, incanous and arachnoid tomentose, or glabrescent; root solitary. Petiole of basal leaves 5--13 cm; leaf blade subrosulate, ovate, or broadly ovate, 11--18 X 8--16 cm, 3- or 4-pinnatisect; lobules filiform, (1--)1.5--3 X 0.5--1.5 mm. Uppermost and middle cauline leaves broadly ovate, 3--5 X 3--5 cm, 2- or 3-pinnatisect; segments 3 or 4 pairs; lobules filiform, 5--15 X 0.5--1.5 mm. Uppermost leaves and leafy bracts 3--5-pinnatisect or entire; lobes of entire leaves 1--3 cm. Capitula in broad or narrow paniculate inflorescences, ovoid or obovoid, 2--3(--4) mm in diam., nodding; receptacle pubescent. Pistillate florets 2--5. Bisexual florets 8--15. Achenes obovoid, slightly oppressed. Fl. & fr. Aug-Oct.
Coastal beaches, sand banks of sea and river mouths; sea level. Hebei, Jiangsu, Shandong [Japan, Korea].
Artemisia fukudo Makino var. mokpensis Pampanini, p.p.
Herbs biennial, 30--60 cm tall, densely arachnoid and sericeous pubescent or glabrescent, long branched. Petiole of basal leaves 4--10 cm; leaf blade subrosulate or ovate, 8--15 X 8--15 cm, 3-pinnatisect; lobules filiform, 6--15 mm. Lowermost and middle cauline leaves orbicular or ovate, 1.5--8 X 1.5--8 cm, 1- or 2-pinnatisect; segments 2 or 3 pairs; lobules linear or filiform, 4--15 X 0.5 mm. Uppermost leaves and leafy bracts 1(or 2)-pinnatisect. Capitula in wide or elongated paniculate inflorescences, ellipsoid or obconical, (2--)3(--4) mm in diam., nodding; receptacle white pubescent; involucral bracts minutely tomentose, +/- glabrescent. Pistillate florets 2--5. Bisexual florets 8--l6. Achenes obovoid-ellipsoid. Fl. & fr. Aug-Oct.
Sand banks of river banks, grassland; low elevations. Hebei, Liaoning, SE Nei Mongol [Korea].
Absinthium divaricatum (Weber ex Stechmann) Fischer ex Besser; Artemisia multicaulis Ledebour; A. anethifolia Weber ex Stechmann var. erectiflora de Candolle; A. anethifolia f. gracilis Pampanini; A. anethifolia var. multicaulis de Candolle; A. anethifolia f. shansiensis Pampanini; A. anethifolia var. stelleriana de Candolle.
Herbs annual or biennial, 20--50 cm tall, pubescent or glabrescent. Basal leaves elliptic or ovate-elliptic, 3--4.5 X 1.5--2.5(--3) cm, 2- or 3-pinnatisect; segments 3 or 4 pairs, lateral distal lobes lobulate; lobes or lobules filiform, extended, 6--12 X 0.5--1.5 mm. Uppermost leaves and leafy bracts 3--5-lobed or entire. Capitula in broad paniculate inflorescences, semiglobose or broadly ovoid, 2--3(--4) mm in diam.; receptacle convex, white pubescent; involucral bracts slightly puberulent or +/- glabrescent. Pistillate florets 3--6. Bisexual florets 18--28; corolla limb yellow or red. Achenes ellipsoid or obovoid. Fl. & fr. Aug-Oct.
Slopes, dry canyons, saline soils, saline steppe, wastelands, stable dunes; 800--2300 m. Gansu, Hebei, W Heilongjiang, Liaoning, Nei Mongol, Ningxia, Shaanxi, N Shanxi, Qinghai, Xinjiang [Mongolia, Russia].
Herbage for feeding livestock.
Artemisia anethifolia Poljakov; A. anethifolia var. anethoides (Mattfeld) Pampanini; A. zhaodongensis G. Y. Chang & M. Y. Liou.
Herbs annual or biennial, 30--60(--90) cm tall, incanous pubescent. Basal and lowermost cauline leaves ovate or elliptic-ovate, 3--4(--5) X 2--4 cm, 3(or 4)-pinnatisect; lobules filiform or linear-lanceolate. Middle cauline leaves ovate or broadly ovate, 2--4 X 1--3 cm, 2- or 3-pinnatisect; segments (1 or)2 or 3 pairs; lobules filiform or hair-form, 2--5 X 0.3--0.5 mm. Uppermost leaves and leafy bracts 3-lobed or entire. Capitula in broad paniculate inflorescences, numerous, subglobose, 1.5--2(--2.5) mm in diam., nodding; receptacle and involucral bracts densely pubescent. Pistillate florets 3--6. Bisexual florets 8--16. Achenes obovoid. Fl. & fr. Jul-Oct.
Hills, slopes, saline soils, sand banks of rivers and lakes, roadsides, wastelands, steppe, semidesert steppe, forest-desert; low elevations to 3300 m, Gansu, Hebei, Heilongjiang, N Henan, Jilin, Liaoning, Nei Mongol, Ningxia, Qinghai, Shaanxi, N Shandong, Shanxi, N Sichuan, Xinjiang [Mongolia, Russia].
Herbage for feeding livestock.
Herbs annual or biennial, 25--40 cm tall, puberulous, or glabrescent. Petiole of lowermost cauline leaves 1.5--2.5 cm; leaf blade ovate, 1.5--2 X 1--1.5 cm, 1- or 2-pinnatisect; segments 2 or 3 pairs, deeply pectinately serrate; teeth obtuse, glandular apically. Middle and uppermost leaves pinnatifid or entire. Uppermost leaves linear; leafy bracts linear or linear-lanceolate, 10--25 X 1--1.5 mm. Capitula in broad paniculate inflorescences, globose or semiglobose, 3--5 mm in diam., nodding; receptacle densely white pubescent. Pistillate florets 5--20. Bisexual florets 30--50; corolla limb puberulous. Achenes minute. Fl. & fr. Aug-Oct.
* Grasslands, sandy river banks; 3700--3800 m. Xizang (Lhasa).
Herbs or subshrubs, 25--70 cm tall, arachnoid-pubescent, glabrescent, with thick and woody stock and woody branches, much branched, branchlets thorny or not. Petioles of lowermost and middle cauline leaves 5--10 mm; leaf blades suborbicular or ovate, 1.5--3.5(--4.5) X 1.5--2.5 cm, 2- or 3-pinnatisect; segments 3--5 pairs; lobules minute, pectinately linear-lanceolate or linear, 4--6 X 0.5 mm. Uppermost leaves and leafy bracts 1- or 2-pinnatisect. Capitula in wide or elongated paniculate inflorescences, semiglobose, 3--4(--5) mm in diam., nodding; involucral bracts densely arachnoid pubescent; receptacle densely pubescent or hairs deciduous. Pistillate florets l0--l5. Bisexual florets 35--50; corolla limb purple, puberulous or glabrescent. Achenes ellipsoid-ovoid or ovoid. Fl. & fr. Jul-Oct. 2n = 18.
Rocky slopes, sandy beaches; 2900--4000 m. W Qinghai, Xizang [Afghanistan, N India, Kazakstan, Kyrgyzstan, N Pakistan, Tajikistan; SW Asia].
1a. Branchlets not thorny ............................................................................... 23a. var. persica
1b. Branchlets thorny .......................................................................... 23b. var. subspinescens
Artemisia togusbulakensis O. Fedtschenko.
Branchlets not thorny.
Rocky slopes, sandy beaches; 2900--4000 m. W Qinghai, Xizang [Afghanistan, N India, Kazakstan, Kyrgyzstan, N Pakistan, Tajikistan; SW Asia].
Used as an antiphlogistic, a hemostatic, or for invigorating the function of digestion system.
Artemisia subspinescens Boissier, Diagn. Fl. Orient., ser. 1, 6: 91. 1845.
Branches and branchlets hard, with thorny tips.
Xizang [Afghanistan; SW Asia].
Abrotanum Tournefort ex Linnaeus, Syst. ed. I. 1735; Artemisia Sect. Artemisia de Candolle, p.p.; Artemisia Subgen. Artemisia Lessing, p.p.; Artemisia Subgen. Euartemisia Rouy, p.p.
Plants pubescent, tomentose or glabrous, rarely arachnoid. Leaves pinnatisect; lobules pectinate, filiform, narrowly linear, or lanceolate, less than 1(--1.5) mm wide. Capitula semiglobose, globose, or subglobose, rarely ovoid. Pistillate florets 1-series; corolla narrowly tubular or conical, 2 or 3(or 4)-toothed; receptacle naked.
Northern hemisphere, few in Africa, Oceania, Central and South America; 31 species and three varieties occur in China, mainly in N and SW mountains, a few in E & S China. Most species contain mainly monoterpenoids and also a little sesquiterpenoids.
1a. Leaves pinnatisect, lobules filiform, linear-filiform, filiform-clavate, narrowly lanceolate or linear-lanceolate, (5--)10--more X 0.5--1(--1.5) mm, acute apically.
2a. Herb annual or biennial; root +/- fusiform.
3a. Herb biennial or perennial; middle cauline leaves pinnatisect, lobes linear or linear-lanceolate; capitula obconical, 4--5 mm in diam. ................................................................... 53. A. fukudo
3b. Herb annual; middle cauline leaves 2- or 3-pinnatisect, lobules filiform or linear, or leaves pinnatisect, latter capitula ovoid or subglobose, 2.5--3 mm in diam.
4a. Middle cauline leaves pinnatisect, segments 2(or 3) pairs; plants pubescent or +/- glabrescent 54. A. przewalskii
4b. Middle cauline leaves 2- or 3-pinnatisect, segments (2 or)3 or 4 pairs; plants glabrous or glabrescent.
5a. Stem shortly branched or not; middle cauline leaves (1 or)2-pinnatisect, segments (2 or)3 or 4 pairs; capitula 2--10 grouped, in narrow paniculate inflorescences ............. 46. A. palustris
5b. Stem more and divaricately branched; middle cauline leaves 2- or 3-pinnatisect, segments 4 or 5 pairs; capitula 2--5 grouped, in broad lax paniculate inflorescences ..... 47. A. aurata
2b. Herb perennial, subshrub, or shrub; root +/- woody; middle cauline leaves 2- or 3- or 1- or 2-pinnatisect; capitula not obconical.
6a. Middle cauline leaves 2- or 3-pinnatisect, lobules linear or filiform, densely silvery incanous or yellowish sericeous-tomentose; corolla limb puberulous ...................................... 49. A. austriaca
6b. Middle cauline leaves 1- or 2-pinnatisect, lobules linear, filiform-clavate, pubescent, or arachnoid pubescent, but latter ones glabrescent later, or densely white tomentose abaxially; corolla limb glabrous.
7a. Stem much branched, middle cauline leaves 2--4 cm, 2(or 3)-pinnatisect; abaxial surface of leaves and involucral bracts densely white tomentose ...................................... 51. A. brachyloba
7b. Stem shortly capitulate branched or not; middle cauline leaves 0.8--2.5(--3) cm, 1- or 2-pinnatisect leaves and involucral bracts puberulous or leaves glabrescent.
8a. Stem terete; lobules in middle cauline leaves filiform, acute apically .... 44. A. adamsii
8b. Stem tetragonous; lobules in middle cauline leaves filiform-clavate or linear-filiform, obtuse or dotted apically ...................................................................................... 45. A. dalai-lamae
1b. Leaves pinnatipartite or -sect, lobules pectinate, serrate or small obtusely lacerate, latter less than 5(--8) X 1.5(--2) mm; or lobules minute, but lobes l--2 mm wide with obtuse apex.
9a. Herb annual or biennial; stem solitary, more than 20 cm, main root +/- fusiform.
10a. Leaves +/- succulent, middle cauline leaves 1- or 2-pinnatisect, segments 1 or 2 pairs, with obtuse apex, entire or 1--3-crenate or cleft ........................................................... 52. A. succulenta
10b. Leaves thinly papery, middle cauline leaves 2- or 3-pinnatisect, segments 2-more pairs, lobes or lobules acute or obtuse apically.
11a. Middle cauline leaves 2- or 3-pinnatisect, segments 3 or 4 pairs, lobes serrate, teeth more than 3 mm wide; involucral bracts puberulous ............................................ 38. A. shangnanensis
11b. Middle cauline leaves 2- or 3-pinnatisect, segments 4--10 pairs, lobes pectinate, teeth less than 2 mm wide; involucral bracts glabrescent.
12a. Leaves minutely and lanceolately pectinate; capitula 1.5--2 mm in diam., in narrow paniculate-spicate inflorescences ....................................................................... 42. A. tournefortiana
12b. Leaves pectinate; capitula more than 3 mm, or 1.5--2.5 mm in diam., latter capitula in broad pyramidal paniculate inflorescences.
13a. Basal leaves numerous, rosulate, segments more than 20 pairs; capitula 3--4(--5) mm in diam., in dense spicate-paniculate inflorescences, involucral bracts with brown or purple-brown scarious margins ........................................................................................... 41. A. hedinii
13b. Characters not as above.
14a. Middle cauline leaves 2(or 3)-pinnatisect, incanous-yellowish or yellowish and glandular punctate abaxially, leaf rachis and rachlets usually not pectinate, midveins obvious, slightly prominent; capitula 1.5--2.5 mm in diam., in broad pyramidal paniculate inflorescences 40. A. annua
14b. Middle cauline leaves 2-pinnatisect, pectinate or serrate, green, not glandular punctate abaxially and leaf rachis and rachlets pectinate, midveins flat; capitula more than 3.5 mm in diam., in midbroad paniculate inflorescences ........................................... 39. A. caruifolia
9b. Herb perennial or subshrub; stems several or numerous, rarely solitary; roots usually woody, or herbs dwarf, less than 20 cm and with thick stock and +/- fusiform root.
15a. Herb dwarf perennial; main root +/- fusiform; stem usually less than 15 cm tall; leaves 1(or 2)-palmatisect, segments 1 or 2 pairs, without lobules or occasionally with 2 or 3 minute lobules; capitula in spicate or narrow spicate-paniculate inflorescences ........................... 48. A. caespitosa
15b. Herb perennial or subshrub with woody roots; stem more than 15 cm tall; leaves 1(or 2)-pinnatisect, segments 3 or more pairs; capitula in paniculate, racemose, or spicate inflorescences.
16a. Capitula broadly ovoid, involucral bracts incanous arachnoid-pubescent; lobes of leaves suborbicular and obtusely serrate ...................................................................... 31. A. baimaensis
16b. Capitula semiglobose, globose or subglobose, involucral bracts puberulous, later glabrescent; lobes of leaves pectinate, or lobules lanceolate or linear-lanceolate, rarely linear-falcate.
17a. Middle cauline leaves 1- or 2-pinnatipartite with pectinate lobules.
18a. Subshrubs, stem more than 70 cm; lobules of leaves elliptic or lanceolate and serrate; capitula 4--6 mm in diam. ............................................................................. 32. A. medioxima
18b. Herb perennial, stem 20--70 cm; lobules of leaves pectinate; capitula 3--4 mm in diam. 35. A. latifolia
17b. Middle cauline leaves 2 or 3(or 4)-pinnatisect, lobules serrate.
19a. Capitula semiglobose, rarely subglobose, 4--7 mm in diam., in racemose, spicate, or paniculate inflorescences.
20a. Herb perennial, stem +/- woody below; capitula in racemose or narrowly racemose-paniculate inflorescences, corolla limb puberulous.
21a. Middle cauline leaves pinnatisect, segments 5--7(--8) pairs, lobes pectinate or deeply serrate; involucral bracts with broad brown margins ........................... 36. A. phaeolepis
21b. Middle cauline leaves 2-pinnatisect or or -parted, segments 4(or 5) pairs, lateral midlobes 2--4 deeply serrate; involucral bracts with scarious lacerate brown margins 43. A. tsugitakaensis
20b. Subshrub, stem woody below; corolla limb not puberulous.
22a. Petioles in middle cauline leaves 6--16 cm; leaves 1(or 2)-pinnatisect, lobes minutely irregular pectinate-serrate ......................................................... 34. A. maximowicziana
22b. Petioles in middle cauline leaves less than 3 cm or +/- sessile; leaves 2- or 3(or 4)-pinnatisect, lobules minutely serrate.
23a. Middle cauline leaves +/- sessile, 2(or 3)-pinnatisect, lobules minutely linear or linear-lanceolate or falcate, 0.5(--1) mm wide; capitula sessile or shortly pedicellate, involucral bracts pubescent .......................................................................... 24. A. macrantha
23b. Middle cauline leaves petiolate, 2- or 3(or 4)-pinnatisect, lobules minute, elliptic, linear, oblong or serrate (0.5--)1--1.5 mm; capitula pedicellate, involucral bracts glabrescent or puberulous.
24a. Middle cauline leaves 3-(or 4-)pinnatisect, segments 5--8 pairs, abaxial midvein obviously convex; capitula with 2--4 mm pedicels, in broad and elongated paniculate inflorescences; involucral bracts glabrescent ...................................... 26. A. polybotryoidea
24b. Middle cauline leaves 2(or 3-)pinnatisect, segments 3(or 4) pairs, abaxial midvein not convex; capitula with 4-15 mm pedicels, in broad, much branched paniculate inflorescences; involucral bracts puberulous .............................................. 27. A. aksaiensis
19b. Capitula minute, subglobose, 2.5--4 mm in diam., in paniculate inflorescences.
25a. Stem shortly and capitately branched or not; involucral bracts glabrescent.
26a. Leaves elliptic-ovate or elliptic, 2--3 cm, segments 4 or 5 pairs, lobules minute, linear or pectinate, puberulous abaxially ................................................ 33. A. freyniana
26b. Leaves ovate or obovate, less than 1 cm, segments (2 or)3 or 4 pairs, lobules minute, narrowly linear or linear-lanceolate, glabrescent ....................................... 50. A. glabella
25b. Stem more and long branched; involucral bracts pubescent or glabrescent.
27a. Middle cauline leaves with 6--8 pairs of segments, lobules minutely elliptic-lanceolate or linear-lanceolate, 2--3 X 1 mm, white tomentulose abaxially ........ 37. A. tanacetifolia
27b. Middle cauline leaves with 3--5 pairs of segments, lobules minute, elliptic- or linear-, serrate or pectinate, 1--2 X 0.5--1(--2) mm, pubescent or glabrescent.
28a. Middle cauline leaves 2--4-pinnatisect, lobules pectinate-linear or narrowly lanceolate, acute apically, yellow arachnoid-pubescent abaxially ........................ 29. A. gmelinii
28b. Middle cauline leaves 2- or 3-pinnatisect, lobules serrate or pectinate, obtuse or acute apically, incanous pubescent abaxially or glabrescent.
29a. Lobules of middle cauline leaves minute, elliptic or linear, 3--5 mm, obtuse apically 25. A. pontica
29b. Lobules of middle cauline leaves serrate or pectinate, 1--2(--3) mm, acute apically.
30a. Middle cauline leaves ovate, elliptic-ovate, or suborbicular, 2- or 3-pinnatisect, lobules minute, deeply serrate; involucral bracts densely pubescent ... 30. A. vestita
30b. Middle cauline leaves triangular or elliptic-ovate, 2- or 3-pinnatisect, lobes with triangular teeth; involucral bracts puberulous or glabrescent ............. 28. A. sacrorum
Subshrubs or herbs, 20--100 cm tall, densely white pubescent, with woody root and stock, and branches. Branches 8--18 cm. Lowermost and middle cauline leaves ovate or oblong, 4--8 X 2--7 cm, 2(or 3)-pinnatisect; segments (3 or)4 or 5 pairs, lobules minute, linear or linear-lanceolate, serrate; teeth 3--5(--8) X 0.5(--1) mm, acute apically, sometimes, falcately curved. Uppermost leaves and leafy bracts pinnatisect or entire; lobes or entire leaves linear-lanceolate and longer than those of flowering branches. Capitula in narrow or midbroad paniculate inflorescences, subglobose or semiglobose, 4--7 mm in diam.; involucral bracts with scarious brown margins; receptacle convex. Pistillate florets 10--20. Bisexual florets 30--38 or more; corolla limb puberulous. Achenes ellipsoid-ovoid. Fl. & fr. Aug-Oct. 2n = 108.
Canyons, steppe, meadows, shrublands, waysides; low elevations to 1500 m. W Nei Mongol, E Xinjiang [Kazakstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan; SW Asia].
Subshrubs or herbs, 30--60(--100) cm tall, densely pubescent, or stem glabrescent, with woody root and stock, and branches, much branched. Leaves sparsely pubescent abaxially. Basal leaves rosulate. Basal and lowermost cauline leaves ovate or broadly ovate, 2--5 X 1.5--3 cm, 2- or 3-pinnatisect. Middle leaves 2-pinnatisect; segments 3 or 4 pairs; lobules minute, elliptic or linear, 3--5 X 0.5--1 mm, obtuse apically. Uppermost leaves and leafy bracts pinnatisect or entire; lobes of entire leaves linear or linear-lanceolate. Capitula in narrow or midbroad paniculate inflorescences, numerous, globose, 2.5--3(--3.5) mm in diam., nodding. Pistillate florets 8--12. Bisexual florets 30--40; corolla limb puberulous or later glabrescent. Achenes obovoid. Fl. & fr. Jul-Oct. 2n = 18.
Rocky slopes, dry valleys, steppe, hills; low to middle elevations. Gansu, Ningxia, E & N Xinjiang [Kazakstan, Russia; C & E Europe, North America].
Herbs perennial, 50--60 cm tall, caespitose, with woody root, stock and branches, much branched. Petiole of middle cauline leaves 2.5--3.5 cm; leaf blade ovate or elliptic, 4--5.5 X 2.5--3.5 cm, glandular punctate, glabrescent or puberulous abaxially, 3(or 4)-pinnatisect; segments 5--8 pairs; lobules minute, pectinate or short-linear, 1--3 X (0.5--) 1--1.5 mm, occasionally serrulate; midvein obviously prominent abaxially; rachis serrate. Uppermost leaves and leafy bracts 2- or 3-pinnatisect. Capitula in broad and elongated paniculate inflorescences, numerous, globose, 4--5 mm in diam.; involucral bracts glabrescent. Pistillate florets 8--12. Bisexual florets 25--35. Achenes obovoid. Fl. & fr. Aug-Oct.
* Hills, waysides; 1000--1500 m. Gansu, Xinjiang.
Herbs or subshrubs, 40 cm tall or more, caespitose, incanous puberulous or sparsely puberulous or glabrescent, with woody root, stock and branches, much branched. Petiole of middle cauline leaves 1--2 cm. Lowermost and middle cauline leaves ovate, 2--2.5 X 1.5--2 cm, glandular punctate, 2(or 3)-pinnatisect; segments 3(or 4) pairs; lobules minute, 3 or 4 pairs, elliptic or ovate, 2--4 X 1--1.5 mm, occasionally with 1 or 2 teeth. Uppermost leaves and leafy bracts 1- or 2-pinnatisect. Capitula in broad paniculate inflorescences, semiglobose or globose, 5--8 mm in diam., pedicel 5--15 mm, rarely less than 4 mm; involucral bracts white puberulous. Pistillate florets 6--11. Bisexual florets 12--18. Achenes obovoid. Fl. & fr. Aug-Oct.
* Hills; 3100--3800 m. W Gansu.
Subshrubs 50--100(--150) cm tall, caespitose, densely pubescent, or glabrescent, with woody root and stock. Petiole of middle cauline leaves 1--5 cm. Lowermost and middle cauline leaves triangular- or elliptic-ovate, 2--10 X 2--8 cm, glandular punctate, 2- or 3-pinnatisect; segments 3--5 pairs; lobules serrate or pectinate; rachis serrate. Uppermost leaves and leafy bracts 1- or 2-pinnatisect or entire; leafy bracts linear or linear-lanceolate. Capitula in broad paniculate inflorescences, globose, 2--3.5(--5) mm in diam., nodding; involucral bracts puberulous or glabrescent. Pistillate florets 10--12. Bisexual florets 20--40. Achenes ellipsoid-ovoid or ellipsoid-conical. Fl. & fr. Aug-Oct. 2n = 18, 36.
Hills, waysides, shrublands, slopes, often dominant on S slopes, roadsides, forest steppe; 600--4200 m. Widespread throughout China [Afghanistan, N India, Japan, Kazakstan, Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Nepal, N Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan].
1a. Leaves 2-, rarely 3-pinnatisect, pubescent, but sparsely pubescent adaxially, densely pubescent abaxially 28b. var. messerschmidtiana
1b. Leaves 2- or 3-pinnatisect, incanous pubescent on both surfaces, but glabrescent or pubescent abaxially.
2a. Leaves pubescent, but later glabrescent ............................................ 28a. var. sacrorum
2b. Leaves pubescent, not becoming glabrescent ......................................... 28c. var. incana
Artemisia gmelinii Fischer ex Besser; A. gmelinii var. intermedia (Ledebour) Krascheninnikov, p.p.; A. iwayomogi Kitamura; A. sacarorum Ledebour subsp. laxiflora (Nakai) Kitagawa, p.p.; A. sacarorum subsp. manshurica (Komarov) Kitamura; A. sacrorum var. intermedia Ledebour; A. sacrorum var. laciniaeformis Nakai; A. sacrorum var. latiloba Ledebour; A. vestita Kitagawa; A. vestita var. viridis (Besser) Wang & H. T. Ho ex H. C. Fu.
Leaves 2- or 3-pinnatisect, both surfaces incanous pubescent, later glabrescent.
Hills, waysides, shrublands, slopes, often dominant on S slopes, roadsides, forest steppe; low to middle elevations. Widespread throughout China [Afghanistan, N India, Japan, Kazakstan, Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Nepal, N Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan].
Artemisia messerschmidtiana Besser, Nouv. Mém. Soc. Imp. Naturalistes Moscou 3: 27. 1834; A. gmelinii Fischer ex Besser var. messerschmidtiana (Besser) Poljakov; A. iwayomogi Kitamura, p.p.; A. sacrorum Ledebour, p.p.; A. sacrorum var. laxiflora (Nakai) Kitagawa.
Leaves 2-, rarely 3-pinnatisect, incanous or yellowish pubescent on both surfaces, densely pubescent abaxially, sparsely pubescent adaxially.
Hills, waysides. Gansu, Hebei, Heilongjiang, Henan, Jiangsu, Jilin, Liaoning, Nei Mongol, Ningxia, Qinghai, Shaanxi, Shandong, Shanxi, Xinjiang [Afghanistan, Japan, Korea, Mongolia, Russia].
Artemisia messerschmidtiana var. incana Besser, Nouv. Mém. Soc. Imp. Naturalistes Moscou 3: 27. 1834; A. gmelinii Weber ex Stechmann var. discolor (Komarov) Nakai; A. gmelinii var. incana (Besser) H. C. Fu; A. gmelinii var. vestita (Komarov) Nakai p.p.; A. sacrorum Ledebour subsp. manshurica Kitagawa; A. sacrorum var. minor Ledebour f. discolor Komarov; A. sacrorum var. minor Ledebour f. vestita Komarov; A. vestita Wallich ex Besser var. discolor (Komarov) Kitagawa.
Leaves 2- or 3-pinnatisect, abaxially incanous pubescent, adaxially sparsely incanous pubescent.
Hills, waysides, shrublands, slopes, often dominant on S slopes, roadsides, forest steppe; 1000--1300 m or below. Widespread throughout China [Japan, Korea, Mongolia].
Artemisia gmelinii Weber ex Stechmann var. biebersteiniana Besser; A. gmelinii var. discolor (Komarov) Nakai; A. gmelinii var. legitima Besser; A. santolinifolia Turczaninow ex Besser; A. sacrorum Ledebour var. minor Ledebour; A. sacrorum var. santolinifolia (Turczaninow ex Besser) Pampanini; A. stechmanniana Besser, p.p.; A. turczaninoviana Besser, p.p.; A. vestita Wallich ex Besser var. discolor (Komarov) Kitagawa.
Subshrubs 10--40(--80) cm tall, caespitose, woody basally, much branched, densely pubescent, or glabrescent except on leaves with woody root and stock, as well as branches. Petiole of middle leaves 8--13 mm. Lowermost and middle cauline leaves ovate or triangular-ovate, 2--4 X 1--2 cm, glandular punctate, incanous or yellowish arachnoid pubescent, 2--4-pinnatisect; segments 4 or 5 pairs; lobules pectinately linear or linear-lanceolate, usually serrulate, teeth 1--2 X 0.2--0.5 mm. Uppermost leaves 1- or 2-pinnatisect and leafy bracts divided or entire; bracts lanceolate or linear-lanceolate. Capitula in dense narrow paniculate inflorescences, globose, 3--4(--6) mm in diam. Pistillate florets 10--12. Bisexual florets 40--60. Achenes oblong. Fl. & fr. Aug-Oct. 2n = 18, 36, 54.
Hills, steppe, semidesert steppe, meadows, rocky slopes, scrub, dry floodlands, wastelands; 1500--4900 m. Gansu, Hebei, Hubei, Jiangsu, Liaoning, W Nei Mongol, Ningxia, Qinghai, Shaanxi, W Sichuan, Xinjiang, Xizang [Kazakstan, Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan; E Europe].
Artemisia laciniata C. B. Clarke; A. potentilaefolia H. Léveillé; A. sacrorum Ledebour var. minor f. wallichiana Pampanini; A. sacrorum var. vestita (Wallich ex Besser) Kitamura.
Subshrubs caespitose, strongly aromatic, 50--120 cm tall, woody basally, much branched, arachnoid-pubescent, especially on adaxial surface of leaves, with woody stock and branches. Petioles of lowermost and middle cauline leaves 8--20 mm; leaf blades ovate, elliptic-ovate, or suborbicular, (2--)3.5--7.5 X (1.5--)2--4 cm, 2(or 3)-pinnatisect; segments 4--6 pairs; lobules minute, deeply serrate; teeth elliptic, 1--2 X 0.2--0.5 mm; rachis serrate. Uppermost leaves and leafy bracts smaller, pinnatisect or entire; bracts lanceolate, sparsely pectinate. Capitula in broad or midbroad paniculate inflorescences, numerous, globose or semiglobose, 2.5--3.5(--4) mm in diam. Pistillate florets 6--10. Bisexual florets 13--20. Achenes oblong or obovoid. Fl. & fr. Aug-Oct. 2n = 18.
Hills, rocky slopes, grasslands, shrublands, outer forest margins; 2000--4300 m. Gansu, NW Guangxi, Guizhou, N Hubei, Liaoning, Qinghai, W Sichuan, Xinjiang, Xizang, Yunnan [N India, Nepal, N Pakistan].
For antiphlogistic and antifebrile drugs.
Subshrubs ca. 60 cm tall or more, much branched, densely incanous pubescent or arachnoid pubescent. Petioles of middle and uppermost cauline leaves 3--5 mm; leaf blades ovate, 3--4 X 2--2.5 cm, scarcely glandular punctate, 2- or 3-pinnatisect; segments 3 or 4 pairs; lobules 3 or 4 pairs; teeth minute, elliptic, 3--5 X 1--2 mm; rachis narrowly winged; leafy bracts 1- or 2-pinnatisect. Capitula in broad paniculate inflorescences, numerous, broadly ovoid, 2.5--3 mm in diam.; involucral bracts incanous arachnoid-pubescent. Pistillate florets 5--8. Bisexual florets 8--15. Achenes ellipsoid-ovoid or ellipsoid-obovoid. Fl. & fr. Aug-Oct.
* Forest margins; ca. 3400 m. Qinghai.
Artemisia latifolia Maximowicz.
Subshrubs 70--120 cm tall, shortly and capitately branched or not apically, white or incanous pubescent, with a few branches. Petioles of lowermost and middle cauline leaves 1.5--3 cm; leaf blades elliptic or oblong, 4--6(--9) X 2--4 cm, thin, glandular pu