Species library · Plants & herbs

Foraging California Mugwort

Artemisia californica

Typically in season from May to October in the northern hemisphere. Found in Scrub & hedgerows, Grassland, Heath & moor. Has toxic lookalikes, so check carefully.

California Mugwort (Artemisia californica)

Photo: Antandrus (talk) (Uploads) (CC BY-SA 3.0)

When California Mugwort is in season

Typical window in the northern hemisphere, peak May to October. The southern hemisphere runs about six months offset, and your own timing depends on local weather, so check your town.

→ Everything in season to forage in July

Where it grows

California Mugwort is usually found in Scrub & hedgerows, Grassland, Heath & moor.

⚠ Look-alikes & safety

Similar species: California mugwort, tarragon, golden yarrow. Only forage with a confident ID.

Take California Mugwort into the field

Open California Mugwort in the Forage app for its full field guide entry with more photos, key features and toxic lookalikes to check against. Add it to your watchlist and the app pings you the moment it comes into season at your exact spot, worked out from live weather, elevation and billions of occurrence records.

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California Mugwort: common questions

When is California Mugwort in season?

California Mugwort is generally in season from May to October in temperate northern regions. The exact timing shifts with latitude, elevation and each year's weather. Check the Season Finder for your own location.

Where does California Mugwort grow?

California Mugwort is usually found in Scrub & hedgerows, Grassland, Heath & moor.

Is California Mugwort safe to forage?

Similar species: California mugwort, tarragon, golden yarrow. Only forage with a confident ID. Never eat any wild plant, berry, nut or mushroom unless you are completely certain of the identification. Check every find against a reliable field guide, and when in doubt, don't.

One note before you head out

Forage helps you discover and identify wild plants, but identification is never 100% certain. Many edible plants have toxic lookalikes. Never eat anything you find based only on what this app tells you. Always confirm with a field guide, an experienced forager or a local expert. The season score tells you where to look, too: it’s not a guarantee. Mind conservation law and property rights as well.

Species photos via Wikimedia Commons and iNaturalist · full credits