Artemisia aleutica


Artemisia aleutica, the Aleutian wormwood, is a rare species of flowering plant endemic to Alaska. According to NatureServe, the species is Critically Imperiled and is known in only two locations in the Rat Island group.

Description

Artemisia aleutica is a perennial herb that grows up to tall. It has basal leaves which are green to gray in color and obovate.

Distribution and habitat

It is known only from the western Aleutian Islands, where it is limited to Kiska and Hawadax Islands in the Rat Island group. It grows in open fellfields on windswept and gravelly ridges.

Conservation

NatureServe has given the species a global conservation status of Critically Imperiled. Only two populations are known. It is threatened due to its small population size and high degree of natural disturbance.