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Montana Field Guides

Tilesius Wormwood - Artemisia tilesii

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Species of Concern
Native Species

Global Rank: G5
State Rank: S3
(see State Rank Reason below)
State Threat Score: No Known Threats
C-value: 4


Agency Status
USFWS:
USFS:
BLM:


 





State Rank Reason (see State Rank above)
DRAFT: Requesting feedback on the 2026 revised rank, factors, and State Rank Reason outlined below and in the Conservation Status Rank Report.
Artemisia tilesii is very sparsely, though widely distributed in many of the mountainous portions of the state. It occurs on rocky or open, montane and subalpine areas. These areas generally are not impacted by human disturbance and populations do not appear to be threatened. Data to estimate population size are lacking as are trend data. However, the lack of disturbance to its habitat means it probably has been relatively stable or experienced only minor declines in the recent past.

Survey work is needed to document population size and extent, habitat condition and potential threats.
Tilesius Wormwood (Artemisia tilesii) Conservation Status Summary
State Rank: S3
Review Date = 11/28/2025
See the complete Conservation Status Rank Report
How we calculate Conservation Status Ranks
 
General Description
PLANTS: Herbaceous perennial that grows from coarse rhizomes (FNA 2006). Stems are simple (sometimes 2-3), erect, 30–80 cm, white, tomentose or glabrate, and mildly aromatic (Lesica et al. 2012; FNA 2006).

LEAVES: Basal and cauline blades are bicolor (green and white), linear to broadly lanceolate, 3-7(10) cm by 2-5(-6) cm, and coarsely pinnately lobed with ultimate segments acute (FNA 2006). Leaves are glabrate above (Lesica et al. 2012).

INFLORESCENCE: A narrow, leafy panicle (Lesica et al. 2012).

Phenology
Flowering mid-summer to early fall (FNA 2006).

Species Range
Montana Range Range Descriptions

Native
 


Range Comments
AK to QC south to OR, ID and MT (Lesica et al. 2012).

Observations in Montana Natural Heritage Program Database
Number of Observations: 8

(Click on the following maps and charts to see full sized version) Map Help and Descriptions
Relative Density

Recency

 

(Observations spanning multiple months or years are excluded from time charts)



Habitat
Grasslands and meadows in the montane and subalpine zones of Montana (Lesica et al. 2012).
Predicted Suitable Habitat Model

This species has a Predicted Suitable Habitat Model available.

To learn how these Models were created see here

National Vegetation Classification System Groups Associated with this Species
Grassland
Montane - Subalpine Grassland
Montane - Subalpine Dry Grassland
Sparse and Barren
Sparse and Barren
Rocky Mountain Cliff, Scree and Rock Outcrops

Ecology
Sagebrush in general is adapted to climates with cold winters where most precipitation falls in the winter (Meyer 2008). Shrubs in the genus Artemisia are important winter browse for ungulates (Meyer 2008). This species relies on wind for pollination and seed dispersal (Meyer 2008). Each seed is enclosed in a papery pericarp. The pericarp has mucilaginous nerves that may help the seed stick to the soil while its root penetrates (Meyer 2008).


Threats or Limiting Factors
STATE THREAT SCORE REASON
Threat impact not assigned because threats are not known (MTNHP Threat Assessment 2021).

References
  • Literature Cited AboveLegend:   View Online Publication
    • Flora of North America Editorial Committee. 2006. Flora of North America North of Mexico. Vol. 19. Magnoliophyta: Asteridae, part 6: Asteraceae, part 1. Oxford Univ. Press, New York. xxiv + 579 pp.
    • Flora of North America Editorial Committee. 2006. Flora of North America North of Mexico. Vol. 20. Magnoliophyta: Asteridae, part 7: Asteraceae, part 2. Oxford Univ. Press, New York. xxii + 666 pp.
    • Lesica, P., M.T. Lavin, and P.F. Stickney. 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. Fort Worth, TX: BRIT Press. viii + 771 p.
    • Meyer, S.E. 2008. Artemisia L. in Bonner, F.T. and R.P. Karrfalt. The Woody Plant Seed Manual. Agric. Handbook No. 727. Washington, DC: USDA, Forest Service. 1223 p.
    • MTNHP Threat Assessment. 2021. State Threat Score Assignment and Assessment of Reported Threats from 2006 to 2021 for State-listed Vascular Plants. Botany Program, Montana Natural Heritage Program, Helena, Montana.
  • Additional ReferencesLegend:   View Online Publication
    Do you know of a citation we're missing?
    • Lesica, P., M.T. Lavin, and P.F. Stickney. 2022. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants, Second Edition. Fort Worth, TX: BRIT Press. viii + 779 p.
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Citation for data on this website:
Tilesius Wormwood — Artemisia tilesii.  Montana Field Guide.  .  Retrieved on , from