What does mugwort, the flea‑repelling herb, look like? - briefly
Mugwort is a tall, herbaceous plant with upright, lance‑shaped leaves that are toothed and display a silvery‑green coloration; its stout stems branch and bear small, yellow‑green clusters of flowers in late summer. The foliage emits a strong, aromatic scent that repels fleas and other insects.
What does mugwort, the flea‑repelling herb, look like? - in detail
Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris) presents a tall, upright habit, reaching 1.2–2 m in mature specimens. Stems are stout, green‑brown, and often slightly hairy, supporting a branching architecture that yields a loosely pyramidal silhouette.
Leaves emerge alternately along the stem. Each leaf is deeply lobed, with serrated margins that give a feather‑like appearance. The blade measures 5–15 cm in length and 2–5 cm in width, displaying a silvery‑gray to green hue on the upper surface and a lighter, often tomentose underside. The venation is prominent, radiating from the central vein to the lobes.
Inflorescences form panicles of small, yellow‑green capitula. Flower heads are 2–4 mm across, lacking conspicuous petals, and bloom from midsummer to early autumn. Each capitulum contains numerous florets that produce wind‑dispersed achenes equipped with pappus bristles for seed spread.
Root system consists of a deep taproot with lateral fibrous extensions, enabling the plant to thrive in disturbed soils, riverbanks, and waste areas. The foliage emits a distinctive, aromatic scent, often described as bitter and herbaceous, which contributes to its reputation as a natural flea deterrent.
Key visual identifiers:
- Height: 1.2–2 m, erect.
- Stem: green‑brown, lightly pubescent.
- Leaves: alternate, deeply lobed, 5–15 cm long, silvery‑gray upper surface.
- Flowers: small, yellow‑green panicles, 2–4 mm heads.
- Roots: deep taproot with fibrous laterals.
These characteristics allow reliable field identification of the flea‑repelling herb.