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Artemisia vulgaris ver. vulgaris - Mugwort

Infestation Photo

photo by  WNY PRISM

June 5, 2015

Morus alba - White Mulberry

photo by  WNY PRISM

June 5, 2015

Close up Photo

photo by  WNY PRISM

June 5, 2015

Close up Photo

photo by  WNY PRISM

June 5, 2015

    Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris) is in the Aster family and is a perennial herb native to northeastern Asia and Alaska which grows 24-63 inches high. Stems are branched with green leaves and silver undersides. Distinct herbal smell. It has been used as a medicinal and culinary herb. It has chrysanthemum like features. It flowers in the months July through October with small dull red flowers. Threatens native plant species biodiversity. Mugwort has long rhizomes and regenerates from root fragments, making it difficult to remove by hand pulling.

    White Mulberry (Morus alba) is a native of China. It is a rounded, fast growing tree that grows 30-50’ tall and wide. The tree is deciduous with small yellowish-green flowers in a slim drooping flower cluster, which blooms in March and April. Fertilized female flowers produce edible blackberry-like fruits in June, loved by birds.

    The leaves of this tree have been used in China as the main food source for silkworms used to make silk.. Tree were introduced into the United States in Colonial times to try to start a silk industry. The silk industry failed, but the trees  have over time have escaped cultivation and spread in fields, forest margins, waste areas, and along roads in the United States.

    Gardeners do not consider this tree to have ornamental or fruiting value. The fruit and bird droppings are messy and will stain pavements, automobiles and areas around the home.