May 2025 by Natural Resources Technician Justin  

Native Artemisias of Sycamore Grove Park
In Sycamore Grove Park, two of our most abundant native plants come from the genus Artemisia, which belongs to the Asteraceae family of herbs and shrubs. Many members of that family are known for being used in essential oils and herbal medicines.

Our Two Artemisias: California Sagebrush and California Mugwort
Our two Artemisias are California Sagebrush (Artemisia californica) and California Mugwort (Artemisia douglasiana). In our two native gardens, located near each parking lot entrance, you will see these two plants. Volunteers will often work around them at LARPD Native Garden Workdays, which happen every month. You can also spot many of these plants along the Creek Trail and throughout the nature area.

California Sagebrush: A Drought-Tolerant Native
The California Sagebrush thrives in our park due to its drought tolerance and preference for well-drained, sandy soil. It’s commonly found in the lower areas of Sycamore Grove Park, particularly growing in clusters near the Arroyo Del Valle. This plant provides excellent habitat for the California Quail (Callipepla californica) and the California Gnatcatcher (Polioptila californica).

California Mugwort: A Medicinal Plant with Deep Roots
The other Artemisia in the park is California Mugwort. Its leaves are larger, green on top, and white underneath. Unlike its cousin, Mugwort requires a consistent water source and isn’t drought-tolerant. Historically, it has been used to treat bronchitis and arthritis. The Chumash people used wool from the leaves to cauterize wounds and applied the leaves to treat poison oak rashes. The name “Mugwort” is thought to come from its historical use either as an insect repellent or as a beer flavoring in Britain.

Now you know two native plants to look out for the next time you stroll through the park!